VIEUX FORT: Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam has promised that Caribbean fans will be attracted to the style of play of the visiting Pakistani team.
The Pakistanis made a quiet arrival in the Caribbean, when they touched down at the Hewanorra International Airport in the south of this island, but Alam said that belied the style of play fans can expect from his relatively young side.
“I have brought a very young side with me, and I am quite sure you are going to enjoy the type of cricket we are going to play,” he said.
“On behalf of the team, I would like to thank everyone for the very warm welcome extended to us. It is always a pleasure to come to the Caribbean.
“I have been coming since 1958 and played against some of your greatest cricketers like Sir Garfield Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, and the late Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell.
“I cherished their friendship, and whenever we met, we talked about old times. I have great regard for your cricketers, and look forward to the next few weeks on this trip.”
Pakistan contest a Twenty20 and five One-day Internationals, as well as two Tests against West Indies on their near six-week trip.
Intikhab repeated his comments prior to his departure that Pakistan had the potential to be highly successful on their tour.
“The conditions in the West Indies have changed significantly in recent years, and so we believe we have the players to deal with the challenge, particularly our spinners,” he said.
The visitors open the tour with a limited-overs match against the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor's XI on Monday at the Mindoo Philip Park in the island's capital of Castries on the northern side of the island.
St. Lucia also hosts a T20 between the Pakistanis and West Indies this coming Thursday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, where the first two ODIs will be contested on Saturday, April 23 and Monday, April 25.
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