Pakistan may have Shoaib back for Test decider

ST. JOHN'S (ANTIGUA), MAY 24 Pakistan finally hope to have Shoaib Akhtar back in the team for the decisive third and final Test against the West Indies at the Antigua recreation ground starting tomorrow.

The so-called `Rawalpindi Express' has been perpetually on the brink of fitness since he joined Pakistan late for the Caribbean tour after suffering a groin strain in the Sharjah Cup limited overs tournament in March.

A recurrence of the strain, pain in his left side and high fever have variously been blamed for the absence so far of the fast bowler, who was temporarily suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last December because of his suspect bowling action.

West Indies unchanged

West Indies has named an unchanged squad, with fast bowler Franklyn Rose, who missed the first two Tests because of an injured finger, now cleared to play.

Both captains were happy that their batsmen finally began to produce the goods in the second Test, West Indies in the first innings when it scored 398 and Pakistan in its second when it made 419 for nine.

Wavell Hinds, 23, scored 165 and 52 for the West Indies, and 19- year-old Ramnaresh Sarwan made 84 on his debut. ''I'm very happy for both of them. I've watched them come up through a team cricket. We are seeing youngmen making their mark and making statements early in their career and this is a wonderful and positive feeling.''

His opposite number Moin Khan was equally encouraged by a century each from Yousuf Khan and 18-year-old Imran Nazir. ``It's always good for batsmen to have some runs in the last Test,'' he said. ''That is what we were hoping for and hopefully they will perform again in the last Test.''

Both teams went into the series clouded by doubts over their recent form. West Indies had a disastrous tour of New Zealand late last year but is unbeaten in four Tests since Adams replaced Brian Lara as captain, having defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in the Caribbean in March.

Pakistan has lost its last two Test series, away to Australia and home to Sri Lanka. Honours have been very even so far, with West Indies going some way to erasing the memory of the last time the two teams met at the end of 1997. On that occasion Pakistan swept the three-Test series at home 3-0.

- Reuters.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Sudhakar Babu lifts title
Next     : Unbeaten century by Prashanth