Only a dramatic reversal in form can stop Pakistan from winning their opening Champions Trophy match against an under-strength West Indies today.
It is the only easy match for Younus Khan’s Pakistanis in the four-team group as West Indies are without their first-choice side following a contract row between the players and their cricket board.
Bangladesh, who have not even qualified for this tournament, put the current West Indies team in proper perspective when they clinched both the Test and one-day series in the Caribbean earlier this year.
Pakistan could not have asked for a better beginning to their bid to become only the second team after India to win three ICC-conducted tournaments — the World Cup, Twenty20 World Championship and Champions Trophy.
Pakistan, winners of the 1992 World Cup and this year’s Twenty20 Worlds, will have tougher assignments ahead as they face India and Australia in their next two matches.
The top two teams advance to semi-finals.
Many feel that a depleted West Indies side is not the best advertisement for the tournament, especially when the 50-over format is under pressure from the growing popularity of the Twenty20 cricket.
“The West Indies have always been my favorite team and I’d love to compete against a full-strength side,” Younus said recently.
Star performers Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivanaraine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo all are missing from the squad, currently led by Floyd Reifer.
The focus will be on Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif, returning to one-day cricket after serving a one-year ban for a failed dope test.
With Pakistan announcing their playing eleven only on the morning of the match, it is yet to be seen whether they will disturb a settled combination to accommodate Asif against the West Indies.
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