ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The West Indies cricket squad, fresh from a 2-0 loss in the just concluded three match test series against Pakistan, are set to face the host side again tomorrow in the first of five one-day international match ups.
This time the side will be without vice captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, who is nursing a hairline fracture to his right foot brought on by a Umar Gul yorker in the second innings of the final test match in Karachi; and Dwayne Bravo, who was released from the squad to return home to be with family members who are unwell.
West Indies Head Coach Bennett King says facing Pakistan without two of his key one-day players will test the overall mettle of the team. "Sarwan is considered one of the leading batters in the one-day game and he has proved that over a long period of time and has been a key to our past successes," King told WindiesCricket.com. "Bravo was adapting to different roles within our side and it's unfortunate that we can't build on those but where one door shuts another one opens."
Runako Morton and Dwayne Smith, who have not been able to command regular places in the final eleven, along with rookie Lendl Simmons, will be in line to replace Sarwan and Bravo.The five match series kicks off on December 5 with a day night game in Rawalpindi. The second ODI is set for Dec. 7th followed by the third and fourth on the 10th and 13th and the final on Dec. 16th.
