23 September,2016 08:13 AM IST | | Agencies
The West Indies will hope to forget their off-field turmoil and underline their status as World Twenty20 champions when they face buoyant Pakistan in a three-match series starting today
West Indies cricket players celebrates during the warm-up game against Emirates Cricket Board XI at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Pic/AFP
Dubai: The West Indies will hope to forget their off-field turmoil and underline their status as World Twenty20 champions when they face buoyant Pakistan in a three-match series starting today.
The supremely talented but troubled side have arrived in the United Arab Emirates after sacking coach Phil Simmons and without all-rounder Andre Russell, who is facing a doping hearing.
The Windies are also missing flamboyant big-hitter Chris Gayle, who complains of injury problems and makes only sporadic appearances for his country. Brathwaite will now captain the side in UAE and hopes his team will show their huge talent in the humid conditions in Dubai.
Pakistan are also in good form, smashing hosts England by nine wickets in the only Twenty20 game of their tour in what was Sarfraz Ahmed's first match as skipper. Ahmed, who replaced Shahid Afridi following Pakistan's first-round exit in the World Twenty20, hopes his team won't be overawed by the champions.
