West Indies face Pakistan test

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

West Indies will look to put the disappointment of the one-day series loss behind them, when they face Pakistan in the opening Test of the two-match series starting here today.

The regional side lost the one-day series 3-2 after trailing 3-0 at one stage; and will be hoping to turn around their fortunes in the game's longer version and walk away from the tour with some form of success.

West Indies start the series with the odds stacked them. They are missing their leading opener in Chris Gayle, who is campaigning in the Indian Premier League, and will also be without their main all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, who is also playing in the lucrative Twenty20 league.

However, captain Darren Sammy said the 13-man squad had remained focused and was upbeat ahead of the clash at the National Stadium at Providence.

"The guys have been working very hard. We have added some new players and they've been working quite hard. The guys put in some good work in the two-day practice game we had ... we are all confident and ready," said the all-rounder, whose form has been dodgy.

"We believe we can win the series. We believe this because we have worked hard in the build-up to the series and we know we have the ability to perform on home turf and get the better of the Pakistanis.

"We saw an improved batting performance in the last two matches of the one-day series and everyone in the team is feeling confident and fully prepared."

Though encouraged by the comeback in the one-day series, Sammy said it was important his side changed gears as Test cricket represented new challenges.

"It's not like it is in the one-day format. It's about occupying the crease and putting up good totals. Dessie (Desmond Haynes) has been doing some good work (with the batsmen) and the guys look ready to go for the Test match."

The batting will centre around the experienced duo of Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who is playing his first Test since being overlooked for the Sri Lanka series last November. Recalled opener Lendl Simmons is in form following four successive half-centuries in the one-day series and stylish stroke-maker Darren Bravo is also due runs.

The side has been lifted by the return of fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who is poised to play his first Test in two years after recovering from a back injury that required surgery.

If he plays, he will line up alongside rookie speedster Kemar Roach in the pace attack, with exciting leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo in line for his Test debut following a successful start to his international career in one-dayers.

West Indies have not won a Test match since they beat England in February 2009, while Pakistan have never won a Test series in the Caribbean.

Pakistan have been boosted by the return of strike bowler Umar Gul, but have lost experienced batsman Younis Khan, who was forced to return home following the death of his brother.

They have won just four of the 21 Tests they have played in the Caribbean.

SQUADS:

WEST INDIES - Darren Sammy (captain), Brendan Nash (vice-captain), Devendra Bishoo, Carlton Baugh Jr, Darren Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith.

PAKISTAN - Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Abdur Rehman, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Hammad Azam, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman, Saeed Ajmal, Tanvir Ahmed, Taufiq Umar, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz.