WI count on experience vs Pakistan

Former champions West Indies will lock horns with the incredibly unpredictable Pakistan in what promises to be a high-voltage group B clash at the Oval. The Caribbean team,which won the title in 2004 besides finishing runners-up in 1998 and 2006,is high on star power with thepresence of an in-form Chris Gayle being a massive confidence-booster.

Pakistan,on the other hand,is a team full of greenhorns despite being led by the oldest player in the event a 39-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq. A look at the line-ups would make the West Indies slight favourites for Friday8217;s match. Gayle,Marlon Samuels,Kieron Pollard and Kemar Roach have the ability to just knock out the opposition attack with their power-hitting. Skipper and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is another player who can be a match-winner on his day. Gayle8217;s aggregate of 695 in Champions Trophy matches is the highest among all batsmen.

On the bowling front,the outfit has a surprise package in pacer Jason Holder. The youngest in the team is 68217;88243; tall and could prove to be a decisive factor in the seaming conditions with his medium pace. Among the slower bowlers,Sunil Narine has been a proven performer.

Pakistan,in contrast,have no big match-winners to boast of after the ouster of senior players such as Umar Akmal,Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan. Their pace spearhead Umar Gul was ruled out due to injury. But if any team is capable of doing exactly what is not expected of it,it is Pakistan. It remains to be seen which bunch turns up at the Oval to match the West Indian flair.

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