Gayle takes on one-day captaincy

Opening batsman Chris Gayle has been named as West Indies captain for the one-day series in England.

Gayle will take over from Daren Ganga, who is to return home following the fourth Test, which starts at the Riverside on Friday.

Seam bowlers Corey Collymore and Jerome Taylor have been left out despite playing in the recent World Cup.

The only new face in the 14-man squad is 23-year-old Antiguan batsman Austin Richards Jr.

The West Indies selectors have taken the opportunity to carry out a major shake-up following the team's disappointing performance at the World Cup.

Brian Lara and Ian Bradshaw have retired, Ramnaresh Sarwan is unavailable because of a shoulder injury and Kieron Pollard has been dropped along with Taylor and Collymore.

But all-rounder Dwayne Smith and batsman Lendl Simmons have kept their places despite being overlooked for the Test series against England.

The two sides will play back to back Twenty20 matches at The Oval on 28-29 June before starting a three-match 50-overs series at Lord's on 1 July.

West Indies will then move on to Ireland for a four-nation tournament, also involving Scotland and the Netherlands.

Gayle's only previous international captaincy experience came in a one-day game against India in Cuttack in January which they lost by 20 runs.

Although nominated as skipper by the selectors, his appointment was initially opposed by members of the West Indies board who wanted Ganga to continue, even though he has not played a limited overs international for six months.

But the board backed down after the three-man panel, headed by West Indies Test great Gordon Greenidge, threatened to resign over the matter.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the team's most experienced one-day player and a former skipper, will be Gayle's vice-captain.

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West Indies one-day squad: Chris Gayle (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (vice captain), Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Austin Richards Jr, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith.

Windies hit by Sammy injury blow

All-rounder Darren Sammy is a doubt for West Indies' final Test against England that starts in Durham on Friday.

The 23-year-old picked up a groin strain while batting for his team on the fifth day of the Old Trafford Test.

Sammy's absence would be a big blow to his team after he claimed 7-66 in the third match of the series - the second best figures by a West Indies debutant.

"It'll leave a gap after what he has done for us but I'm hopeful he will play," said coach David Moore.
"Even though he only got one wicket in the first innings he was very disciplined with the ball and he is like that every time he takes it.

"In the field he's excellent as well, always moving around and encouraging the guys.

"With the bat he got a good ball in the first innings but in the second he really applied himself.

"I thought he was going to keep going and just might have had a dream game."

The team spirit is really coming together

Windies coach David Moore

Sammy took six wickets in a 33-ball spell late on the third day of the Old Trafford contest - an effort that brought West Indies back into the match after England had extended their lead to more than 400 with seven wickets intact.

Moore was buoyed by his team's effort despite a 60-run defeat that meant they had lost the series 2-0.

"Supporters on this tour have come up and talked about improvement in the side and the team spirit which is something you can really hang your hat on," he added.

"The joy that the players express when they're sharing someone's high points plus the support the boys were getting from the balcony when we were batting was excellent.

"Every time they walked in or out before or after sessions they were getting great support.

"The team spirit is really coming together, there is no magic formula, the guys are just working hard together and when you do that you start seeing results."

# Pace bowler Ravi Rampaul has still not recovered from the minor groin muscle tear he suffered prior to the third Test and will not be available for selection for the Riverside.

Lara planning to return to action

West Indies legend Brian Lara says he could play again within six months of his international retirement.

"I think I am going to play cricket again. If I go six or eight months without cricket I would lose it and I don't want to lose it yet," he said.

However, in an interview with Wisden Cricketer magazine Lara, 38, appeared to rule out an international comeback.

He claimed he left West Indies cricket on his own terms, although he had expected to tour England this summer.

"I leave West Indies cricket with my head held high," he said.

Without Lara, Test cricket's leading scorer with 11,953 runs from 131 matches, West Indies conceded the series to England 2-0 with one match still to play.

I wanted to come to England but I had also said I wanted to finish with one-dayers

Brian Lara

Lara's international retirement was announced in dramatic fashion before West Indies' final game of a disappointing World Cup on home soil.

At the time he left open the possibility of playing on, away from international cricket.

"We needed a new direction, someone who was willing to see some sort of change," he said in the magazine interview.

"I was willing to do that. I wanted to come to England but I had also said I wanted to finish with one-dayers. It's not ideal but then how many things in life are?"

Asked if his planned comeback would be with celebrity club side Lashings, he replied, "No, no".

County cricket and the proposed new Indian breakaway 20-over league are possibilities.

Ganga brushes off captaincy talk

West Indies Test skipper Daren Ganga has refused to consider the one-day captaincy until after the final Test against England in Durham.

Ganga replaced the injured Ramnaresh Sarwan for the final two Tests, but is not seen as a one-day player and did not play at the World Cup.

But the West Indies board is believed to have vetoed using opener Chris Gayle as temporary one-day captain.

"There's a lot of speculation but that is beyond my control," said Ganga.

"It is a stop-gap situation I have found myself in and that is a decision which has got to be made by the board.

"At the moment we are focusing on that next Test match and after that we will know exactly how things are going to go with regards to the rest of the tour."

The West Indies will be seeking to maintain the improved form they showed in the third Test defeat when they start the fourth Test at the Riverside on Friday.

The tourists, chasing a Test record 455 to win and level the series, put up a spirited batting display at Old Trafford before succumbing to a 60-run loss.

"Guys put their hands up, played with a lot of pride, a lot of purpose and it augurs well for the rest of this series," said Ganga.

Sobers to open Cricket World Cup

Sobers is revered as a true great of Caribbean and world cricket

West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers has been chosen to officially open the Cricket World Cup.

"This signal honour is befitting of the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen," World Cup managing director Chris Dehring commented.

"It is because of legends like Sir Garry that today we have the opportunity to host this event."

The opening ceremony will take place at the new 25,000-seater Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica on 11 March.

It will be followed two days later by the first match between West Indies and Pakistan, one of 51 fixtures involving 16 teams to be played in eight countries across the region.

"It will be phenomenal for the Caribbean, especially for those persons who haven't had the opportunity to see a Cricket World Cup. It will be a fantastic experience," said Sobers.

A former all-rounder and West Indies captain, he scored more than 8,000 runs and took 235 wickets in 93 Tests before retiring in 1974, just one year before the first World Cup took place.

He only played a single limited-overs international against England at Headingley in 1973 during his career, but it was not a happy experience as he was dismissed for a duck and West Indies lost the game by one wicket.

Sobers was knighted for his services to cricket in 1975 and was named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the 20th century in its 2000 edition.

Pollard ready to seize Cup chance

West Indies newcomer Kieron Pollard is hoping to mark his elevation to the senior squad with a significant role in the forthcoming World Cup.

The 6ft 3ins all-rounder hit 83 from 38 balls in a domestic Twenty20 match and averaged over 50 in one-day matches.

"I know the whole Caribbean is backing us to win - and win in style," he said.

"I'm just looking to play for the team, whatever role I have. I don't think I'll be too nervous, I love a challenge and I'm looking forward to it."

Having made his mark in the shortest form of the game, Pollard proved he could figure in first-class cricket too with 126 on his debut, a swashbuckling innings featuring six sixes.

Then, after being named in the provisional World Cup squad of 30, he fired six more sixes in another century and the selectors were prepared to take a chance on him for the big event.

Past greats sometimes say players don't take their chance but I'm determined Kieron Pollard

"From grade cricket to the West Indies team has been very fast, a dream come true but very overwhelming. I've just got to keep my feet on the ground and continue what I'm doing," the Trinidadian told BBC World Service Sport.

"Up until last year I was watching the guys on television, getting the chance to play with them was a great feeling.

"I had interacted with a lot of them before, Dwayne Bravo and Daren Ganga told me about some experiences they've had and that's going to be useful."

Legendary West Indian batsman Gordon Greenidge, now chairman of selectors, has spoken of Pollard's all-round athleticism, and the teenager vowed not to disappoint him.

"It's nice when past greats say good things about you.... I'm willing and determined to capitalise," he added.

West Indies 'can win World Cup'

Cricket legends Sir Viv Richards and Courtney Walsh believe West Indies can become the first team to win the World Cup on home soil.

Cricket's showpiece tournament begins in three weeks' time in the Caribbean but no host team has ever won.

Richards said: "I have always said we have a very good chance of winning this World Cup.

"We have a team that is good enough to compete and there are so many things for them to motivate themselves for."

I don't just believe they will do well, I believe they have what it takes to win the World Cup

Courtney Walsh on the West Indies

West Indies have won the World Cup twice, in 1975 and 1979, when the tournament was held in England.

Richards, who played in both those finals, said: "No team has ever hosted a World Cup and won it so that is a great opportunity.

"Winning it as a West Indies unit is collectively good for the whole region, and I believe we stand a very good chance."

The West Indies squad will assemble in Jamaica this week for a preparation camp.

Walsh, who played for 17 years for the national team, added: "I'm a true supporter of the West Indies team and I think we have picked a young, exciting crop of players who will do us proud.

"I don't just believe they will do well, I believe they have what it takes to win the World Cup.

"The camp in Jamaica will serve a useful purpose. A lot is resting on their shoulders, but we have the right formula at the right time, in the right place."

Richards doubts England chances

West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards has played down England's chances of winning the World Cup.

Michael Vaughan's men will travel to the Caribbean next month on the back of three successive one-day international wins over world champions Australia.

Two-time World Cup winner Richards said: "Ever since they beat Australia you would think England have a chance.

"But I don't believe their one-day team is as good as they do. They might have got a tired Australia team in the end."
Before their wins over the Aussies, two of which came in the finals of the tri-series, England had lost 24 of their previous 33 ODIs.

Former Windies skipper Richards, who scored 6,721 runs in 187 one-dayers at an average of 47, has been impressed by their revival and says they could shock some of the more fancied teams.

"It's going to be interesting because England have taken some knocks about their one-day team and proved a lot of people wrong and they could do it again," he continued.

Viv Richards playing in a recent beach cricket tournament in Australia
No team has ever hosted a World Cup and won it - we stand a very good chance

Richards on the Windies

"Any one of eight teams could be competitive - there are eight good ones at the tournament."

Richards was part of the West Indies side that won the inaugural World Cup in 1975 and then helped them retain it four years later.

The Windies have not tasted glory in the competition since then but Richards feels they have the ability to create history.

"I have always said we have a very good chance of winning this World Cup. We have assembled a team that is good enough to compete at this level," he explained.

"There are so many things for them to motivate themselves for. No team has ever hosted a World Cup and won it so that is a great opportunity.

"Winning it as a West Indies unit is collectively good for the whole region and I believe we stand a very good chance."

Richards was talking at the opening of the new Kensington Oval ground in Barbados that will host the World Cup final on 28 April.

If I was in a facility like this I'd be wanting to perform and I hope these guys get that feeling as well

Richards on the new Kensington Oval in Barbados

He captained a side of West Indies greats including Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Courtney Walsh, Curtley Ambrose and Joel Garner in a Twenty20 defeat by a World XI led by former England captain Alec Stewart.

"It was a wonderful occasion to be here at this magnificent ground. It's great when you have facilities like this," Richards added.

"I just hope the cricket over the next few weeks and months can match some of the facilities and I hope justice is done in terms of getting some magnificent performances.

"It would be fitting if that was the case. If I was in a facility like this I'd be wanting to perform and I hope these guys get that feeling as well."

Windies name Samuels in Cup squad

Marlon Samuels has been in good form for West Indies recently

All-rounder Marlon Samuels has been named in the West Indies World Cup squad, despite a probe into alleged links with an Indian bookmaker.

The 26-year-old is under investigation after allegedly giving information about the team batting order.

In the only surprise squad selection, 19-year-old Trinidad all-rounder Kieron Pollard was handed a place in the 15.

Another Trinidadian, 22-year-old Lendl Simmons, is also included, having played only six one-day internationals.

Five players have been named as reserves, Fidel Edwards, Sylvester Joseph, Dave Mohammed, Runako Morton and Darren Sammy.

The Windies begin the tournament with a match against Pakistan in Jamaica on 13 March.

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West Indies World Cup squad: Brian Lara [capt], Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Ian Bradshaw, Corey Collymore, Jerome Taylor, Denesh Ramdin, Devon Smith, Lendl Simmons, Daren Powell, Kieron Pollard

Windies to launch Samuels inquiry

Samuels has played 23 Tests and 83 one-day internationals

The West Indies Cricket Board has promised an investigation into claims that all-rounder Marlon Samuels passed team information to a bookmaker.

Spokesman Tony Deyal told BBC World Service Sport: "Whatever we do will be fair, honest and transparent.

And he continued: "Whatever action we have to take consistent with the law, we will take it."

Indian police claim to have tapes of a conversation involving Samuels before a recent one-dayer in Nagpur.

And the Board of Control for Cricket in India has passed the police report on to the International Cricket Council.

Samuels has denied any wrongdoing but the West Indies Board has yet to speak to him or decide precisely what form any investigation on their part will take.

Deyal, the WICB's corporate service manager, said: "We're not going to act on rumour or gossip because we are dealing with the career of a young cricketer of talent and promise and we have to look after him.

"We will have an investigation and take whatever action is appropriate and consistent with the ICC [International Cricket Council] regulations and our own reputation for probity.

"We had world champion sides for many years and we have always done whatever had to be done in terms of protecting the game and protecting the players."

He added: "Anything that we are going to do will have three major parts to it - one, what is the complaint and what proof is there; two, there must be an investigation internally, most likely headed by the cricket committee; and thirdly, we will involve the [West Indies] Players Association because Mr Samuels is a member and we are duty bound to involve all parties."

The matter is an unwelcome distraction for the Board just one month before the Caribbean hosts the World Cup for the first time.

But team captain Brian Lara has offered his backing for Samuels, who is certain to be a member of the West Indies squad after impressive recent performances.

"Ultimately, I would like to speak to Marlon Samuels to let him know that he has the full support of myself and the other players.

"He needs to stay focused on the things he can control. We have a World Cup to win," Lara told reporters at the launch of his new cricket computer game.

Samuels denies India police claim

West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels has denied passing information to a bookmaker before a one-day defeat by India in Nagpur last month.

"I have not done anything wrong," Samuels told the Times of India paper.

On Wednesday, Indian police claimed to have tapes of Samuels revealing team information but added that there was no evidence of money being involved.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has passed the police report on to the International Cricket Council.

An ICC spokesman said: "As a rule of thumb we do not comment on any activities our Anti-Corruption and Security Unit may be involved in.

"If we had any comments they would not be made until we have had time to read and digest any report that the Nagpur police may have compiled."

A West Indies Cricket Board spokesman said it would investigate once information was received from the BCCI.

"We are not going to act on rumour or gossip and won't be panicked," he said.

He added that the WICB had a zero-tolerance policy on gambling.

West Indies finally name Indian tour side

West Indies have included uncapped Reyad Emrit in a 14-member squad for a series of four ODIs against India later this month. Emrit, the Trinidad and Tobago allrounder, is the only newcomer in a squad which sees recalls for Devon Smith and Darren Sammy.

"This is our last chance to look at a few players and they have included because you do not know what might happen in the next few weeks," Gordon Greenidge, the head selector, said. "We have a few injuries, and we want to have a look at a few players at international level to see what they have to offer."

Ramnaresh Sarwan has not fully recovered from a foot injury sustained on the tour of Pakistan, and he was not considered for selection.

The squad was chosen more than a week ago but there were delays as the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players' Association haggled over appearance fees. WIPA officials claimed that as the matches were not part of the ICC's Future Tours Programme extra payment was needed.

Greenidge added said that a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup would be named on Saturday.

West Indies Brian Lara (captain), Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Rayad Emrit, Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

© Cricinfo

West Indies name five newcomers

The West Indies have brought in five uncapped players to their provisional squad of 30 players for the World Cup, which begins in the Caribbean in March.

Keiron Pollard, Patrick Browne, Travis Dowlin, Gavin Tonge and Reyad Emrit are in the squad for the first time.

Emrit was named in a 14-man squad for a series of four one-day internationals against India later this month.

Batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan will miss the trip as he recovers from a foot injury but all-rounder Dwayne Bravo returns.

There are also recalls for opener Devon Smith and all-rounder Darren Sammy.
"They have been included because you do not know what might happen in the next few weeks," said convenor of selectors Gordon Greenidge.

"We have a few injuries, and we want to have a look at a few players at international level to see what they have to offer."

The series in India begins on 21 January and spans just 10 days. The final World Cup squad must be announced by 13 February.

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Provisional World Cup squad: Omari Banks, Carlton Baugh, Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Patrick Browne, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin, Fidel Edwards, Reyad Emrit, Christopher Gayle, Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Sylvester Joseph, Brian Lara, Rawl Lewis, Dave Mohammed, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Keiron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor, Gavin Tonge.

Squad for India series: Lara (captain), Bradshaw, Bravo, Chanderpaul, Emrit, Gayle, Morton, Powell, Ramdin, Sammy, Samuels, Simmons, Devon Smith, Taylor.

Windies coach upbeat on World Cup

Coach Bennett King insists West Indies can become the first ever host team to the win the World Cup.

But he admits there is still work to do to prevent Australia from winning a third successive title.

"We've been winning games against really good opposition, which gives the players confidence. We've just got to maintain that consistency," said King.

"The limited-overs format at the moment suits us better. With that in mind, we're optimistic."

West Indies, who open the World Cup against Pakistan in Jamaica on 13 March, beat Australia during the group stages of the ICC Champions Trophy.

They lost to Ricky Ponting's side in the final of the tournament in India in November and have since endured a difficult tour of Pakistan.

But they return to India for a four-match series later this month in good heart.

"The limited-overs format is an interesting game. Anyone on their given day, if they have a good day, can win," King told the West Indies Cricket Board website.

"If a side has a below par game, they can lose. What we've got to make sure of is that we don't have a lot of bad games."

Lara would not mind playing Tests till 40

MELBOURNE: Retirements might be in vogue but West Indies batting legend Brian Lara appears in no mood to hang his boots now, saying he wants to play Test cricket for as long as he can.
Lara, however, might consider quitting one-day cricket after the World Cup in his homeland.
“I cut back on one-day cricket a couple of months ago because Test cricket is what I really love,” said West Indies skipper.
“Test cricket is true test of your ability and that’s the one game I’d love to play a bit longer. Quitting one-day cricket is looking that way. Since taking over captaincy again, it has had an effect on me mentally and physically,” said Lara who is holidaying in Australia.
“I’m not sure how much one-day cricket I’ll be playing after the World Cup. Hopefully we can win it and that would be a great way to go out,” said the batting ace, who has scored 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88 in Tests.
“I don’t know if I’ll get to 40 but I want to play as long as I can. My enthusiasm is still there. I know I still have some Tests ahead of me — and hopefully more big innings,” he was quoted as saying in ‘Sunday Telegraph’.
His innumerable milestones notwithstanding, Lara said he still felt “unfulfilled” and was willing to give up all his records to be a part of a winning team like Australia.

Viv Richards to head Windies All Star against World XI

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Cricket great Sir Viv Richards will head a West Indies All Star team against a World XI to mark the reopening of Kensington Oval on Feb. 17.

Joining Richards will be fellow greats Joel Garner, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose in the battery, and Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Richie Richardson in the batting lineup, the Barbados Cricket Association announced.

The US$69 million (euro54 million) redevelopment of Kensington Oval, the oldest cricket ground in the Caribbean, was slated to be finished by New Year's, but won't be handed over to cricket World Cup organizers until Feb. 19.

Gayle slips to third place in ICC ODI rankings

DUBAI: West Indian all-rounder Chris Gayle has slipped to third place in the latest ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen after a disappointing one-day cricket series against Pakistan. He had moved up to second off the back of an excellent ICC Champions Trophy in India in October/November but the series in Pakistan was less fruitful for him. In four innings he scored 57 runs at average of 14.25, much below his usual high standards.
Gayle’s loss is Kevin Pietersen’s gain, however, as the England batsman moves up to second position as a result of Gayle’s demotion, while Michael Hussey remains firm in the top spot.
Other big movers in the top 20 include West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul who, despite being on losing team, had a good series personally and has moved up eight places to the 20th position.
Meanwhile, Shahriar Nafees has become the fifth batsman in the world to score 1000 runs in 2006, along with Gayle and the Sri Lankan trio of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya.
Nafees is the first Bangladesh player ever to achieve that feat and has managed to retain his place in the 19th spot in the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen in the process. One player to slip down the list is Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. He has fallen three places to 18th spot on the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen. Pakistan paceman Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has moved up seven places to 12th position in the Player Rankings for ODI bowlers following the series against Brian Lara’s side. In four ODIs, he took 11 wickets at an average of 11.81, economy rate of 3.76 runs per over and a strike rate better than a wicket every 19 balls.
Despite winning the series, Pakistan slipped one place on the ICC ODI Championship. It now sits in fourth spot, below New Zealand. The Black Caps begin a five-match ODI series at home to Sri Lanka on 28 December.
South Africa’s Shaun Pollock still tops ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders, clear of Gayle in second and Jayasuriya in third.

Pakistan ease past W-indies to win the series!

KARACHI: West Indies set 239 runs victory target for Pakistan in the last one- dayer of the series at National Stadium here on Saturday.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul groundout only his fourth hundred in 205 one-day internationals to guide West Indies to a respectable 238 for seven in the fifth and final game of the series against Pakistan.
The experienced left-hander played a workmanlike innings of101 to ensure the tourists remained in the match after seamer Rana Naved continued his splendid form to finish with figures of four for 43.
It was Chanderpaul's first one-day hundred since 2002 when he made 108 against New Zealand at Gros Islet.

Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1 after the first game in Rawalpindi was washed out. The home side won the next two games in Faisalabad and Lahore and West Indies came back in the last match in Multan.

Chanderpaul opened the innings and shared partnerships of 51 with Marlon Samuels (22) and 96 with captain Brian Lara (44) after Chris Gayle fell cheaply once again to Naved. Gayle, player of the tournament in the Champions Trophy in India, made a top score of 41 in the series, falling four times to Naved who again trapped him lbw for seven after Pakistan won the toss.

Naved came back for a damaging final spell in the last10 overs to bowl Lara and break his threatening 108-ball stand with Chanderpaul. Naved also got Chanderpaul, having him caught by Yasir Hameed at deep mid-wicket in the 48th over soon after he completed his ton.

Naved's fourth victim was Dwayne Smith, trapped leg before for one as the tourists lost four wickets for 22 runs.

Chanderpaul picked the gaps intelligently as he hit eight fours in his 142-ball innings. Lara, in contrast, was in sketchy form, facing 55 balls and hitting just three fours before falling in the 44th over.

Lendl Simmons was bowled by Mohammad Sami for 21 and Samuels was stumped by Kamran Akmal off left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman.

Pakistan made four changes to their side with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Umar Gul and Rehman returning. West Indies replaced Ian Bradshaw with Corey Collymore.

Pakistan started the Innings with Karman Akmal and Muhammad Hafeez.Both of them played really well.Hafeez made 92 while Karman Akmal scored 56 runs.Third batsmen who got out was Yasir Hameed who got out after scoring 40 runs.while,Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib malik remained not out at the crease!
Man of the match and Man of the series award was presented to Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan.Can you guess who got the best fielder of the series award???I myself can't believe,"Inzamam" got the best fielder award.Most valuable player of the series award was given to Muhammad Yousuf!
Pakistan is having next series with SA.and we hope that they will repeat the same performance there!

Woolmer confident of ODI series triumph

KARACHI: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer is expecting his team to push for a series-winning triumph in the final one-dayer against the West Indies here at the National Stadium tomorrow following the return of master batsmen Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf.
“It is always great to win a series and I believe we are in a good position to do so on Saturday when some of our leading batsmen will be back in the side,” Woolmer told ‘The News’ in an interview here on Thursday.
The home team leads the five-match One-day International (ODI) series 2-1 in spite of a seven-wicket defeat against the West Indies in the previous game held in Multan on Wednesday.
In Multan, Pakistan were without their big three - Inzamam, Yousuf and Younis Khan - and failed to counter the resurging tourists with makeshift captain Abdul Razzaq in command.
Younis, who missed the one-dayers in Lahore and Multan, will also stay away from the Karachi game as he has decided to stay back with his family in Mardan because of the death of his brother last week.
Inzamam and Yousuf, however, are set to return to the Pakistan line-up and Woolmer said it was great news for him.
“It is difficult to do well if you take out Inzamam, Yousuf and Younis from the equation, all of them at the same time,” said Woolmer.
“It is great to have at least two of them back for the match in Karachi and they are going to make a big difference,” said the coach.
Inzamam missed the last match because of a finger injury while Yousuf had stayed back in Lahore to be with his wife. Woolmer said that the return of Inzamam and Yousuf has strengthened his team but made it clear that West Indies would be a tough side to beat in the day-night game.
“West Indies won the previous game in Multan and that result must have given them a lot of confidence. Such a mood can make a team quite dangerous,” he said.
The national team management was criticised by some experts for what they believed was some unnecessary experimentation in the Multan match but Woolmer disagreed.
“We tried to use the previous match for some experimentation in the absence of some of our top players and it was a calculated move,” he said pointing out that Pakistan are currently in the process of finalising their World Cup squad.
Pakistan recalled under-performing dynamo Shahid Afridi for the Multan match and opted to open the innings with him. The move flopped and ignited a scathing attack from former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who said Pakistan should have gone for the regular opening pair of Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez and fielded the big-hitting Afridi down the order.
But Woolmer said that the team management had their reasons for the decision. “With our top batsmen not available we thought Hafeez could do well in the middle order. We also wanted to give Afridi ample batting opportunity,” he explained.
Woolmer said that he was happy to be back in Karachi, a city which he likes for the superb atmosphere at the National Stadium. “It is great to be back in Karachi to finish this series. I am looking forward to a great crowd in Saturday’s match,” he expressed.
Pakistan wrapped up the Test series against the West Indies 2-0 by winning the third and final Test in Karachi earlier this month.

Lara set to retire from one-day cricket

MULTAN: West Indies' captain Brian Lara said he was unlikely to play one-day cricket again after next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.

Lara, 37, told reporters after West Indies defeated Pakistan by seven wicket in the fourth one-day international that it was important for him to get runs in the World Cup.

"As it is I don't think I will be playing one-day internationals after the tournament," he said.

Lara said West Indies' victory, which cut Pakistan's lead in the five-match series to 2-1 after the first match was abandoned, had been exceptional.

"The boys showed a lot of character today. They bowled well today," he said.

"We just need to go in with a positive frame of mind for the last game in Karachi.

"It is important we win that because it would be a big psychological boost for us before the World Cup to square the series in Pakistan.

"At the age of 37 I know what is expected of me. The form has been sketchy but I want to fire in the World Cup which is such an important tournament for us as the hosts."

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