Hosts look to end series on a high note (Preview)

West Indies took everyone by surprise by defeating Pakistan in the fourth ODI after most people had predicted a 5-0 result in favour of Pakistan. The win must have pleased everyone interested in West Indies cricket, the fans, administrators, players and Chris Gayle who is busy playing IPL. It was their first win over a test side since 2009 barring Bangladesh and must have felt good.

The hosts may have the lost the series but they have found some real talent in this series. The young Devendra Bishoo, who made his debut in the 2011 World Cup, has been a revelation with the ball. His leg-spinners have given Pakistan batsmen a torrid time in the series. His flight and spin have been a treat to watch and his temperament has impressed one and all. Surely, he has got all the makings of a future star. His starred in the win with a three wicket haul including that of centurion Mohammad Hafeez.

Another West Indian youngster who put his hand up in the match was Lendl Simmons, and his exploits with the bat at the top gave his team confidence to take on the Pakistan bowling and ultimately earn a much needed win.

Though, the Windies selectors drafted in experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan into the squad to buttress the inexperienced batting but he didn’t have to do a lot in the match. Sarwan appeared patchy with his shot selection in that innings of 28 runs but tomorrow’s match gives him another opportunity to convince the national selectors that he is still good enough for international cricket. Another discard who got a look-in during this series, Marlon Samuels hasn’t helped his cause by getting a string of low scores.

Unlike the Windies, the visitors haven’t done a lot wrong in the series. The batting expectedly has been shaky but the bowlers particularly the spinners have been excellent. Young pacer Wahab Riaz has continued the good work after the impressive showing in the world cup. The opening partnership for Pakistan looked settled during the series, both Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad among the runs.

Pakistan players who made debut during the last match may get one more chance to display their skills. This is a good opportunity for the young brigade to put in some impressive performance against an opposition which isn’t full of world class players.

The host will like to carry on the winning momentum into the all important test series starting in a few days time by pocketing the last ODI while as, Pakistan would want to win the series by a comprehensive 4-1 margin, if not a white wash.

WEST INDIES

Darren Sammy (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh (wk), Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons.

PAKISTAN

Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azam, Junaid Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman(wk), Sadaf Hussain, Saeed Ajmal Shahid Afridi (c) Tanvir Ahmed, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, Usman Salahuddin.