KARACHI, Jan 27: Pakistan captain Waqar Younis Sunday said his team is ready to overcome the West Indies in their historic Test series starting Thursday in Sharjah, which he described as a “second home” for the side.
“We are ready to achieve the best results in the series against West Indies which I think will be very exciting,” Waqar said.
The West Indies refused to play the series as scheduled in Pakistan due to heightened tensions with India and the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan.
Both countries agreed to shift the series from Pakistan to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, where Test cricket has never been played before. The series also marks only the third time Tests have been played at a neutral venue in the 126-year history of Test cricket.
Waqar leads a 15-member squad leaving for Sharjah Monday, to take on a team led by the experienced Carl Hooper. The Pakistani captain warned the West Indies should not be underestimated despite losing 3-nil in their recent away series in Sri Lanka.
“Although West Indies has been struggling, they always have the capability to bounce back and pose problems,” he said.
He brushed aside concerns Pakistan might be under-prepared after the cancellation of the home series against New Zealand after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US and the weak competition provided by Test newcomers Bangladesh in the recent series.
Pakistan swept the away series, beating Bangladesh in both Tests by an innings and winning all three one-day games comfortably.
“Bangladesh was definitely a weak opposition but we took them professionally and I am happy that individual performances were good enough.”
He added Pakistan would not suffer badly from having the West Indies Tests moved to Sharjah, where there is a large expatriate Pakistani population.
“Sharjah has been a happy hunting ground for Pakistan for the last several years and it’s like another home for us,” he said of the well-known one day cricket venue.
Veteran pace bowler Wasim Akram and opening batsman Saeed Anwar will be missing from the lineup but Waqar gave a positive spin to the setback, saying it provided a good chance to young blood.
Wasim has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury while Saeed is nursing a fractured wrist.
The West Indies also have injury woes, with star batsman Brian Lara and up and coming batsman Ramnaresh Sarawan both absent from the Sharjah squad.
The second and final Test in the shortened series will start Feb 7 and three one day games are scheduled for Feb 13, 15 and 17.
Meanwhile, Waqar called for stricter crowd control at international cricket matches after Shoaib Akhtar was felled by a brick during the just completed tour of Bangladesh.
“There should be cameras in the stand and security personnel should sit in the stand and watch people,” he said.
“Crowd trouble is common in this part of the world, but for the players’ safety, strict measures should be taken.”
Shoaib required hospital treatment after being hit while fielding on the boundary in the second one-day match against Bangladesh last Thursday.—AFP