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Pakistan are targetting a unique record in cricket history and that is of winning nine consecutive matches on a tour. Having won the first two Tests, Misbah-ul-Haq's boys look confident of a clean sweep against the West Indies when the two sides meet for the third and final Test at the Sharjah Stadium from Sunday.
After whitewashes in the T20s and ODIs, a third is on the cards. It will be a tough task on a placid Sharjah wicket, which is expected to play easy.
Former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis had predicted, at the beginning of the tour, that it could be 9-0. The West Indies have a lot at stake to win at least one clash against the hosts.
Pakistan's batsmen have been in good form, with Azhar Ali showing the way and Younis Khan, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Misbah and Sarfraz Ahmed all among the runs.
Yasir Shah, on the other hand, has spearheaded Pakistan's spin department with two left-arm spinners - Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Nawaz. The pacers will be picked from Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali.
Misbah is set to lead Pakistan for the 49th Test, and will overtake Imran Khan as the country's most-capped captain. The success in Sharjah would be very special for the 42-year-old skipper.
West Indies were unlucky with the toss in the first two Tests and they will hope that their skipper calls correctly.
They have put up great fights in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They were on the brink of winning the first Test and the prospects of a draw in the Abu Dhabi Test looked bright until Yasir turned it in Pakistan's favour. After this Test Pakistan will be leaving for New Zealand on November 4 to play two Tests starting on 17th and three Tests in Australia later.
West Indies need to put up a better show in Sharjah. Some of their players - Darren Bravo, Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel and Jermaine Blackwood - performed well, but the Caribbeans are still looking for their first victory of the tour.
The abysmal show by the West Indies has had a negative effect on the demeanour of the players, but captain Jason Holder is adamant that they remain fully motivated.
"Most of the players are young and inexperienced they are excited to play international cricket," Holder said.
"The team needs time to develop and I hope if they are given proper chances and encouragement they can develop into a fighting unit. We have a lot of positives from the series as we have got five-wicket hauls, a century, plenty of our batsmen got good starts and these are all good signs."
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com
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