MULTAN, Nov 18: Pakistan are keen to maintain their winning momentum over the West Indies when the two teams clash in the second match of the three-Test series at the Multan Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Pakistan, winners of three of the previous four Tests played at this picturesque ground since August 2001, took a 1-0 lead after wrapping up the opening Test in Lahore by nine wickets inside four days.

Notwithstanding their appalling record – 16 defeats in last 23 Tests – West Indies have the ability to bounce back in this all-important match which Lara’s men must win to keep the series alive when they head to Karachi for the final Test.

Several factors contributed to West Indies’ defeat at Lahore despite Lara’s candid admission that his side misjudged the first-day conditions at the Gaddafi Stadium which were tailor-made for seam bowling.

Most of the West Indians failed to apply themselves, after Lara elected to bat first, and were bowled out for 206 inside 57 overs against the seam and swing of Umar Gul and Shahid Nazir, who between them picked up 15 wickets in the match.

Luck also deserted the tourists who were at the mercy of some atrocious umpiring from Sri Lanka’s Asoka de Silva. They must be relieved to find out now that de Silva will not be officiating in the current series anymore.

Another valid reason for West Indies’ poor showing at Lahore was that they hadn’t played the five-day game after hosting India at home last June and July. Since then they had been fed on a constant diet of one-day cricket before arriving in Pakistan.

If West Indies need any inspiration in Multan they don’t have to go far. Their former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul is set to become the eighth West Indian, and the 42nd overall, to complete a century of Test appearances, provided he overcomes a stomach problem which has plagued him since Lahore match.

Pakistan, on the other hand, expect Inzamam-ul-Haq to make a significant personal contribution in front of his home fans. The last four Tests have seen the 37-year-old skipper dismissed for low scores after starting the series in England with half century in each innings at Lord’s.

Although he won’t admit it, Inzamam who was out for an eight-ball duck in the first Test, could be making a final Test appearance in his hometown.

Already under pressure to perform following the acrimonious events at The Oval, Inzamam should back himself to overcome this personal crisis as he did so emphatically here in September 2003 with that unforgettable match-winning 138 not out against Bangladesh.

That magnificent innings – which went a long way in prolonging Inzamam’s illustrious international career – had come on back of a horrendous World Cup campaign in southern Africa earlier in the year.

Another man feeling the heat getting to him is Imran Farhat. The left-handed opener’s faulty approach has reopened a debate whether it’s wise to persist with him after yet another failure in the first Test.

Shoaib Malik is one option available on the back of sound starts he provided alongside Salman Butt in the England Test series last winter. If the axe does fall on Imran, Faisal Iqbal should reclaim the No 6 spot. But that is unlikely to happen just yet, at least not in this Test.

Although Pakistan have not yet decided on the playing XI, there are talks of inducting the 24-year-old uncapped left-arm seamer Samiullah Niazi in place of all-rounder Abdul Razzaq whose proficiency at Test level has been disappointing of late.

Younis Khan, the Pakistan vice-captain, is also long overdue for runs at the ground where he hasn’t crossed 50 in the past four Test innings. But he is too good a player to experience another failure.

Mohammad Yousuf, who like Inzamam has made two centuries at this venue, was the difference between the sides in Lahore with that marathon, but rather chancy, knock of 192.

The West Indians know for sure now that they must ensure Yousuf gets out cheaply, otherwise another long innings from the 32-year-old right-hander could seal their fate.

As for the tourists, they cetainly hope that likes of Chris Gayle, Darren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan, all with respectable Test records, support the great Lara, who made 61 and 122 in Lahore, and Chanderpaul to ensure they post big totals to put Pakistan under pressure.

Their bowling in the first Test was rather insipid although at times, both Jerome Taylor and the luckless Corey Collymore bowled wicket-taking deliveries but without much luck. Fidel Edwards, who was all over the place in the first Test, could find himself making way for either Daren Powell or off-spinner Omari Banks.

The sun made a welcome appearance on Saturday to leave the outfield nice and dry. The pitch, which has no grass to speak of, itself appears to be drier than was the case in Lahore. A year ago, on a more or less similar-looking track, pace bowlers captured 32 of the 40 wickets when Pakistan defeated England by 22 runs in a seesaw first Test. However, Danish Kaneria, the leg-spinner, will find conditions more to his liking here because of the bounce could be more pronounced.

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