Gaji
Old foes West Indies and Pakistan face each other in a Twenty20 International for the first time on Thursday.
The Beausejour Cricket Ground in this coastal town on the northern perimeter of this volcanic island of St Lucia forms a picturesque backdrop for the event.
It is hard to believe that although Twenty20 matches have become popular in the modern game that the two sides have not been fortunate sufficient to cross each other's paths in this version before now.
Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam said there were great prospect of his side, following a strong, if not winning show in the World Cup.
"We've bring some youngsters with us, and I think it's a golden chance for them to make a name for themselves, and to make a career in the sport," said Alam.
"It was a long trip from Pakistan to the Caribbean, but we travelled well, and the boys are all happy and they're well."
"The people in Pakistan are very happy with us [subsequent the World Cup]. Now the prospect is even higher for this tour of the West Indies because we have never won a [Test] series out here before."
West Indies director Richie Richardson said there has been enough good individual performance from his side in the last few months to make him feel sure, but they would have to put it all together to overcome the Pakistanis.
"We're regarding to head into this series, which is very important - it's a home series," he said.
"As a region, it's always very significant, and for our home fans, who look forward to stimulation and to us doing well.
"It's easier for us to do well with our home mass and their support, and it gives an chance to bring ourselves back up the ladder - to dig deep, work hard, prove ourselves, and give back to our fans."
He added: "People across the World have been familiarized to the West Indies as long as thrilling cricket and we must work harder to give that to them."
Both sides have made important changes in personnel since the World Cup, and have invested heavily in a number of unverified players for the limited-overs portion of the series, which includes this T20I.
Pakistan has dropped wicketkeeper/batsman Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, while fast bowler Umar Gul and experienced batsman Younus Khan were dropped from the team.
Wicketkeeper Muhammad Salman has been given a opportunity, while batsmen Hammad Azam and Usman Salahuddin, as well as left-arm fast-medium bowler Sadaf Hussain have been integrated in the team for the first time.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Sulieman Benn - four high-profile members of the West Indies World Cup squad - have all been sideline by the selectors for this match, and the first two One-day Internationals that follow.
For this T20I, the home teams have brought in the uncapped quartet of batsman Danza Hyatt, all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, off-spinner Ashley Nurse, and left-arm fast bowler Krishmar Santokie.
West Indies have also been prepared with the inclusion of stylish batsman Marlon Samuels, who is once again qualified for selection, after serving a two-year ban for his suspected involvement with illegal bookmakers.
Utility player Lendl Simmons, the nephew of Ireland coach Phil Simmons, the previous West Indies all-rounder, is also back in the squad, along with batsman Andre Fletcher, who will handle duties following the stumps.
Squads:
West Indies: (from): Darren Sammy (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons
Pakistan: (from): Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice captain), Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shahzad, Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azman, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman, Sadaf Hussain, Saeed Ajmal, Tanveer Ahmed, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, Usman Salahuddin, Wahab Riaz
The Beausejour Cricket Ground in this coastal town on the northern perimeter of this volcanic island of St Lucia forms a picturesque backdrop for the event.
It is hard to believe that although Twenty20 matches have become popular in the modern game that the two sides have not been fortunate sufficient to cross each other's paths in this version before now.
Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam said there were great prospect of his side, following a strong, if not winning show in the World Cup.
"We've bring some youngsters with us, and I think it's a golden chance for them to make a name for themselves, and to make a career in the sport," said Alam.
"It was a long trip from Pakistan to the Caribbean, but we travelled well, and the boys are all happy and they're well."
"The people in Pakistan are very happy with us [subsequent the World Cup]. Now the prospect is even higher for this tour of the West Indies because we have never won a [Test] series out here before."
West Indies director Richie Richardson said there has been enough good individual performance from his side in the last few months to make him feel sure, but they would have to put it all together to overcome the Pakistanis.
"We're regarding to head into this series, which is very important - it's a home series," he said.
"As a region, it's always very significant, and for our home fans, who look forward to stimulation and to us doing well.
"It's easier for us to do well with our home mass and their support, and it gives an chance to bring ourselves back up the ladder - to dig deep, work hard, prove ourselves, and give back to our fans."
He added: "People across the World have been familiarized to the West Indies as long as thrilling cricket and we must work harder to give that to them."
Both sides have made important changes in personnel since the World Cup, and have invested heavily in a number of unverified players for the limited-overs portion of the series, which includes this T20I.
Pakistan has dropped wicketkeeper/batsman Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, while fast bowler Umar Gul and experienced batsman Younus Khan were dropped from the team.
Wicketkeeper Muhammad Salman has been given a opportunity, while batsmen Hammad Azam and Usman Salahuddin, as well as left-arm fast-medium bowler Sadaf Hussain have been integrated in the team for the first time.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Sulieman Benn - four high-profile members of the West Indies World Cup squad - have all been sideline by the selectors for this match, and the first two One-day Internationals that follow.
For this T20I, the home teams have brought in the uncapped quartet of batsman Danza Hyatt, all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, off-spinner Ashley Nurse, and left-arm fast bowler Krishmar Santokie.
West Indies have also been prepared with the inclusion of stylish batsman Marlon Samuels, who is once again qualified for selection, after serving a two-year ban for his suspected involvement with illegal bookmakers.
Utility player Lendl Simmons, the nephew of Ireland coach Phil Simmons, the previous West Indies all-rounder, is also back in the squad, along with batsman Andre Fletcher, who will handle duties following the stumps.
Squads:
West Indies: (from): Darren Sammy (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons
Pakistan: (from): Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice captain), Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shahzad, Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azman, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman, Sadaf Hussain, Saeed Ajmal, Tanveer Ahmed, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, Usman Salahuddin, Wahab Riaz
