When Pakistan and the West Indies meet next, after the final ODI at Karachi tomorrow, it will be for the opening game of the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica in just under three months time. Signs emerged at Multan during the last ODI that cricket's premier tournament is looming on the minds of both sides, as line-ups were changed, experiments made and players tested.
Pakistan went about the experiments with greater zeal, though ultimately paying the price for them and it is unlikely, injuries permitting, that they will do so again with the same gusto. "We experimented in Multan and we felt that it was right to do it then as opposed to in the final game," said Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, at the National Stadium.
Their batting struggled in Multan, though they were, for various reasons, without their immense middle order trio of Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf for the first time since 2004. The captain is "98% certain" to play tomorrow, having almost fully recovered from a finger injury. Yousuf is in Karachi and also likely to play, as is Abdur Rahman, who has been so impressive in the two games that he has played so far. Woolmer insisted that there were still some positives to be drawn.
"We were without our middle three in Multan and the loss was disappointing but we can take positives from that in Yasir Hameed's batting and Mohammad Sami as well," Woolmer explained. "We have learnt a lot from that game and will be coming out in Karachi firing on all cylinders."
His opposite number, Bennett King, will no doubt hope his side does the same and a drawn series here will nicely bookend a long, arduous three-month road trip from which some light has emerged. "We made the final of two big competitions and only lost to a high-quality side on each occasion. So as far as ODIs are concerned, the results are very encouraging," King told reporters.
And the medium-term implications of a good finish are not lost on him. "It is important that we finish the series on a good note with Pakistan being in our World Cup pool. From our perspective, when we played Pakistan at home to where we are now, there has been a lot of improvement. We are a dangerous force in ODI cricket. We found some good form the other night in Multan and we're looking forward to this match."
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose return to the top of the order proved so crucial then, is fit to play despite struggling at various points through his innings but Jerome Taylor's inclusion, after being rested at Multan, is not as certain as might be expected from a bowler who has made such an impression. "We'll see how Jerome pulls up in the morning. In the subcontinent, with illnesses and injuries, it's a day-to-day thing. We're pretty sure of what side will play but we'll see. The wicket looks pretty flat and there isn't as much moisture to help the fast bowlers. We're looking forward to it and will pick the best side for the match."
Much of the talk of both men though was geared towards forthcoming challenges. Pakistan head off to South Africa for a full series in January and the West Indies to India for a series of one-day internationals in the same month. Soon after that comes the face-off at Sabina Park. In which case, tomorrow becomes the first of numerous dress rehearsals for the real thing.