Pakistan have already wrapped up the series by winning the first two Tests by an innings margin. The third victory is very much on the cards, no matter if it is not by an innings, as the morale of the visitors has touched rock-bottom. On the contrary, the confidence of the Pakistanis is sky high and they are looking for nothing less than a victory. Besides, Pakistan are aiming at a clean-sweep on their most favouritehunting ground - the National Stadium - where they have never been beaten in 31 Tests. Their 15 wins here include two against the West Indies.
Wasim Akram, the Pakistan captain, is not only bidding to become the second skipper to white-wash the West Indies, but is also aiming to be the only Pakistan captain after his mentor Imran Khan to completely blank out the opposition. Imran Khan led Pakistan to a 3-0 win over Kim Hughes Australians in 1982-83.
Not often, the West Indies have been so humiliated in their proud cricket history. Only once and that too 69 years ago, they were swept by a 3-0 margin when Percy Chapman's Englishmen humbled Karl Nunes' tourists in 1928, their first appearance on the Test scene. But things have changed dramatically for the Caribbeans in the last 30 months. Unbeaten in 27 series from 1980 to 1995, the two-time former world champions have been thrashed in three out of seven rubbers. Their decline started with a famous 2-1 win by the Australians in the West Indies two years ago.
In the current series, the West Indies look disjointed and appear to be playing without a cause. There seems to be no interest in the players, perhaps because of internal bickerings, lack of quality players. On top of all the age-factor has combined to take the toll out of them. To rub salt into the wound, Brian Lara, world's most gifted and charismatic batsman, is passing through a rough period. In the current series, he has managed just 54 runs with 36 as his highest at Peshawar. Besides, the fact that Lara is in bad form, it should not be forgotten that he is facing world's most feared, hostile and talented pacemen. In all the four innings, Lara has succumbed to home speedsters with Wasim Akram having him twice and Waqar Younis and Azhar Mahmood having the diminutive batsman once each.
Nevertheless, Lara is a fine stroke-maker and can anytime start his onslaught. He showed his magic here last year when he scored a 91-ball 111 against South Africa in the World Cup quarter-final. Need not to mention that Lara made his debut here seven years ago when the West Indies toured Pakistan in 1990-91 under Desmond Haynes. So, the National Stadium is as sweet for Lara as for Pakistan.
Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul have shown flashes of brilliance but they are certainly lacking consistency. On the contrary, Sherwin Campbell has been more steady with two half centuries in four innings. The West Indies strike bowlers - Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose - are in the twilight of their careers. But still, the West Indies skipper Walsh has been the most successful bowler on the tour having claimed 10 out of 20 Pakistani wickets. Ambrose is apparently struggling with back trouble and Ian Bishop seems to have lost his venom after the spinal cord surgery. Franklyn Rose has shown some promise but he is often erratic and bowls too short which is severely flicked on slow Pakistani turfs.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, it looks a completely different side as they were against South Africa. The will, determination and self-belief is quite visible which has lifted the whole team. They are brilliant with the bat, thundering in the field and destructive with the red cherry. The killer-instinct, that was missing after Imran Khan called it a day five years ago, is there as the Pakistanis have been pouncing on any opportunity that is coming their way.
Wasim Akram's return as captain has also made a great impact on the team which was the centre of criticism after defeats in the previous Test series and then the quadrangular tournament. Akram is leading the team by example and has been an inspiration to his teammates. The batsmen are sensing their responsibilities and contributing priceless runs to the team's score. While it was Inzamamul Haq, Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmad and Moin Khan at Peshawar, Aamir Sohail and Inzamam struck breath-taking centuries at Rawalpindi.
Pakistan bowling has always delivered the goods and in this series too it was no exception. On a turning Peshawar track, Mushtaq Ahmad captured 10 wickets and then on the seaming Rawalpindi pitch, 16 wickets went to the pacers. It also proves the effective variety in which Pakistan is rich.
Pakistan's worst department, fielding, has shown tremendous improvement as some splendid catches were taken besides some athletic run-outs at Rawalpindi. Individually, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aamir Sohail made the critics eat their words. Akram and Younis were said to be past their prime while Sohail had a troubled first eight months of this year. The wicket prepared for the final Test looks to be flat and void of any notable grass. Both Pakistan and the West Indies have delayed the announcement of their teams but the home side is expected to make a change by dropping Shoaib Akhtar and including Saqlain Mushtaq. Manzoor Akhtar will, thus, have to wait for his first Test cap.
Unlike Peshawar and Rawalpindi, it will be a six-hour play (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) here with 90 overs to be bowled in a day. There will be no dew in the morning to delay the start of the proceedings nor it will be case of bad light for premature stumps. All said and done, Pakistan have the best chance to do what no other team has done in 69 years. After 10 years, no one will remember that the West Indies had problems that led to a disaster. People will only know Pakistan white-washed the West Indies.
Teams (to be selected from):
PAKISTAN: Wasim Akram (captain), Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Ijaz Ahmad, Inzamamul Haq, Mohammad Wasim, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmad, Waqar Younis, Manzoor Akhtar and Shoaib Akhtar.
WEST INDIES: Courtney Walsh (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Philo Wallace, Stuart Williams, Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, David Williams, Ian Bishop, Franklyn Rose, Curtly Ambrose, Phil Simmons, Ronald Holder, Rawl Lewis and Mervyn Dillion.
UMPIRES: Cyril Mitchley (South Africa) and Salim Badar (Pakistan)
TV UMPIRE: Islam Khan (Pakistan)
MATCH REFEREE: Raman Subba Row (England)