MULTAN, Dec 12: The spectators will enjoy some entertaining cricket for the first time in the ongoing one-day series between Pakistan and the West Indies as a high-scoring game has been predicted in the fourth One-day International at the Multan Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

The first three ODIs, in which Pakistan have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, remained colourless, as the pitches prevented the batsmen from exhibiting natural stroke-play mainly due to the moisture in the wake of the rainy weather. But a sun shining weather in this southern Punjab city helped the groundstaff prepare a batting strip here.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is unlikely to play in his hometown due to injured finger, says, “The strip looked dry and a high-scoring match is expected here.”

Meanwhile, the West Indies coach Bennett King says, "I think it will be a high-scoring match as the wicket is batsman-friendly.”

The first ODI was washed out at Rawalpindi, while in the second one at Faisalabad, the tourists could set a meagre winning target of 151 for Pakistan, who lost eight wickets before winning the game. At Lahore, the West Indies were restricted to 207-7 in 46.3 overs.

Inzamam said his injury was improving and a final decision about his inclusion in the playing eleven would be decided on Wednesday morning.

However, sources told Dawn that Inzamam would not be playing, since his doctor had advised him to play only after opening up the three stitches, otherwise, the injury would be aggravated. Inzamam injured his left hand little finger while trying to stop a powerful shot from Lendl Simmons at Lahore and it had three stitches.

Inzamam said if he missed the match then all-rounder Abdul Razzaq would lead the team, as Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf were also not available. Younis left the team during the second match at Faisalabad after receiving shocking news of his elder brother’s demise in Germany. Yousuf, who was not available at Faisalabad due to wife’s illness, will again miss due to the same reason.

The team management has called up all-rounder Shahid Afridi and batsman Faisal Iqbal, who had a net session at the Multan Stadium with the team.

Afridi, who was not selected for the series, made a surprise entry, when the national selectors sent him an SOS call, as three batsmen — Younis, Yousuf and doubtful starter Inzamam — are not available. The selectors care little that Afridi’s century, against Wapda while representing Habib Bank was scored in a four-day fixture of Patron’s Trophy instead of a one-day game.

Inzamam said he wished to win the series 4-0 by winning at Multan and Karachi. "Our priority is to remain unbeaten against the West Indies, though the rivals are formidable and capable of giving a tough fight,” he said.

However, King says, “Though we can’t win the series from this stage our main focus is to square it by winning the remaining two matches and for that we will try our best.”

He said though some players (Chris Gayle, Runako Morton) were suffering from flu while Shivnarine Chanderpaul was expected to play. But the final playing XI would be decided before the start of the match.

Chanderpaul, the reliable middle-order batsman, had missed out the first three ODIs due to strained left knee.

Inzamam said the injury to Rao Iftikhar, he sustained during the practice, was not serious, adding that the paceman would be available for the selection.

About the future assignments of their respective teams both King and Inzamam were hopeful for a better show.

King said though his team had a bad series in Pakistan it had good performances this year to go for the 2007 World Cup at home with confidence.

Inzamam said the forthcoming away home series against South Africa was important for Pakistan and his team would go there with complete preparations. Pakistan will tour South Africa in January, before featuring in the World Cup.

He admitted the low-bounce pitches in the home series against the West Indies would not be there in South Africa and for that Pakistan would devise a plan.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Faisal Iqbal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Umar Gul, Abdur Rehman, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Sami.

West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Runako Morton, Dwayne Smith Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (wicket-keeper), Ian Bradshaw, Jerome Taylor, Lendl Simmons, Corey Collymore, Dave Mohammed, Daren Powell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Umpires: Zameer Haider (Pakistan) and Nigel Llong (England).

TV umpire: Riazuddin (Pakistan). Fourth umpire: Iqbal Butt (Pakistan).

Match referee: Alan Hurst (Australia).