West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara (left) gives a bat with the signatures of his teammates to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during a reception at Prime Minister House in Islamabad on Saturday. - Reuters photos

RAWALPINDI (Reuters):

Pakistan line up against the West Indies in the first of a five-match one-day international series tomorrow (beginning tonight local time), with both teams eager to improve ahead of next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.

The sides also play the first match of the 2007 tournament in Jamaica on March 13.

"The series against Pakistan is important for us because it will allow us to judge where we stand as far as our preparations for the World Cup are concerned," West Indian skipper Brian Lara told reporters yesterday.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq echoed Lara's sentiments while adding that the series represented a good opportunity to build confidence after a first-round exit at the recent Champions Trophy in India.

Inconsistent form

"The series is a chance for us to recover from our recent inconsistent form, particularly in the Champions Trophy," Inzamam said.

"We have just 10 more games, at home and in South Africa, before the World Cup and they are our last chance to settle on a formation for the big tournament."

Inzamam misses the opening contest as he sits out the final game of a four-match ban for bringing the game into disrepute at the Oval Test in August.

Younis Khan, who led the side at the Champions Trophy in Inzamam's absence, will captain the team in the first game in Rawalpindi.

BEAT AUSTRALIA

Pakistan have lost nine of their 19 games this year and the West Indies have a slightly better record with 15 victories in 24 contests, including two wins over world champions Australia.

However, Lara's side were outclassed in the Champions Trophy final by Australia as well as in a warm-up tournament in Malaysia by the same opposition.

"We have played well in one-day games," Lara admitted.

"We have performed as a unit but we have also suffered sudden collapses. Against Pakistan, we need to work on this and try to be good finishers in crunch situations."

The West Indies, who lost the Test series 2-0, have also been rocked by the loss of two key players for the one-dayers, batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was ruled out with a fractured foot and all rounder Dwayne Bravo left the tour for personal reasons.

Their places have been taken by opener Daren Ganga and experienced paceman Corey Collymore, both men drafted in from the Test side.

"Sarwan and Bravo have been key players for us in our recent one-day matches and their absence will definitely be felt," Lara added.

"But it is an opportunity for others to come forward and take up the challenge.

"The main thing is we have been performing as a team and we need to continue doing that to do well in the World Cup."

For Pakistan, explosive all rounder Shahid Afridi was axed from the side, his place taken by specialist leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who the selectors see as a key player in the Caribbean.

Teams:

West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, Daren Ganga, Lendl Simmons, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Ian Bradshaw, Corey Collymore, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Dave Mohammed, Denesh Ramdin. Pakistan: Younis Khan (captain), Mohammad Yousuf, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Abdul Razzak, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikhar, Rana Naved, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman.