A spectator views the waterlogged Rawalpindi cricket stadium after the first one-day international between Pakistan and West Indies was abandoned yesterday due to torrential rains. - Reuters

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (CMC):

WEST INDIES captain Brian Lara said his side was already looking ahead to the second one-day international (ODI), after the opening game of the five-match series was rained out yesterday.

Torrential rain, which has drenched the region in recent days, saturated the outfield and playing area at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground leaving the venue unfit for play.

"The weather wasn't great, but we have to move on. The focus is now on the second match as the series moves on," Lara said.

Umpires Daryl Harper and Aleem Dar carried out an early inspection of the ground yesterday morning before making the final decision.

"The umpires asked the curator if he could hand them over the ground in three hours time, but he said this would not be possible despite the rains having stopped," Naushad Ali, a Pakistan cricket Board spokesman, said. The West Indies' preparation for the game was also affected by the rainy weather which caused their final net session on Monday to be cancelled.

The visitors are seeking to win the ODI series and finish the tour on a high after losing the preceding Test series 2-0.

Critical series

Meanwhile, West Indies left-arm seamer Ian Bradshaw said the ODI series against Pakistan would be critical to the team's preparation for next year's Cricket World Cup.

"I think that we're in the process of building towards the World Cup," the 32-year-old said.

"We've made significant strides in the last 12 months and this one-day series is going to be critical in our continued quest to become one of the top teams in the world."

Bradshaw, one of three players called up for the ODI tournament, said the team would need to adapt quickly if it is to beat Pakistan in the series. He also said that with the loss of vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, the Windies still needed to prove they were one of the best ODI teams in the world.

"To be able to adapt as quickly as possible to foreign conditions is the test of any professional sportsman is to be able to perform in unfamiliar territory," Bradshaw stressed.

"It's critical that we show that despite losing two of our key players - Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo - that we can overcome Pakistan because they are one of the top one-day teams in the world and difficult to beat at home. A victory here in Pakistan will go far in enhancing our credibility."

The two teams will now travel to Faisalabad for the second ODI tomorrow.