Pakistan gear up for Test series

Pakistan’s best result in the region was a 1-1 tie in 1988 with the legendary Imran Khan at the helm. "We will be taking care of our side and having won the one-day series so well, we believe we have the advantage. You never underestimate your opponents," manager Saleen Altaf said Tuesday after a net session at the police ground.

"I know the West Indies has been struggling in recent years, but they are at home and we respect them," he added. Pakistan won the one-day series 3-0 last week in St Lucia, handing the islanders’ their record ninth consecutive one-day international defeat. The first five-day test match begins tomorrow at Kensington Oval, and the second match will be played next week in Jamaica.

Altaf believes his bowling staff holds the key to victory, and he highlighted leg-spinner Danish Kaneria as the trump card.

"Kaneria is, after Shane Warne, the best leg-spinner in the world. With each match he’s getting better. He’s our main wicket taker," said Altaf, who toured with the 1977 team to the West Indies. "We have Shabbir Ahmed, who is getting back in the grove, and Rana Naved who is getting better and better by the match. There is also Abdul Razzaq, so we have a good combination," he said.