Pakistan won't underestimate West Indies, says coach by AFP

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Event:

Pakistan in West Indies 2004/05

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DateLine: 10th May 2005

 

Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer said his team were riding high after a successful tour of India but would not take the weakened West Indies lightly when they travel to the Caribbean this week.

 

"It would be nice to cap the first year as coach with a win in the Caribbean, but we will not underestimate the West Indies and have to play at our best," Englishman Woolmer told AFP on Tuesday.

 

Pakistan fly out on Wednesday to the West Indies, where they play three one-day games and two Tests.

 

Woolmer, a former batsman who played 19 Tests for England and also coached South Africa, said recent good showings in India had boosted his sides confidence.

 

"Its not only the confidence of the India tour, but the team on the whole is playing well."

 

Pakistan squared a three-match Test series 1-1 and won a six-match one-day series 4-2 on their tour of India last month. By contrast, the West Indies lost a four-match Test series at home to South Africa 2-0 and trail 2-0 in the ongoing three-match one-day series.

 

Woolmer, who turns 57 on Saturday, admitted his team would miss fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, dropped from the squad due to injuries.

 

"Of course, the extra pace of Akhtar and Sami would have been handy, but it's unfortunate that both are missing through injury and we have to make do with the best available bowlers," said Woolmer.

 

He denied differences with Akhtar had led to his exclusion.

 

"I have no differences with Akhtar," Woolmer said. "I have never said anything derogatory against him. What I had said was that he can come back to the team on showing match fitness."

 

Woolmer said he was not bothered by the fact Pakistan failed to win a series in the West Indies on their previous five tours.

 

"Every series is a new series. What has happened in the past does not bother me. This team stands a good chance of winning if they play as they did in India," said Woolmer, who took over as coach in June.

 

However, Woolmer disagreed with assessments that the West Indies are a one-man team, relying heavily on master batsman Brian Lara.

 

"Lara is a phenomenon, but others like (Chris) Gayle, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan, (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul and (Wavell) Hinds are also good players, so we would not take them lightly."

 

Pakistan opens the tour with a limited overs practice match on Sunday at Antigua before playing the first one-day international at St. Vincent on May 18.

 

The second and third one-day matches are scheduled for St. Lucia on May 21 and 22 before the first Tests in Barbados on May 26-30 and the second Test in Jamaica from June 3-7.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)