West Indian cricket captain Brian Lara (C) pushes his luggage trolley on arrival in Lahore yesterday. The West Indian cricket team is on a 40-day tour of Pakistan during which they will play three Tests and five one-day international matches against Pakistan.
MUMBAI, India
Opening batsmen Daren Ganga and Lendl Simmons, fast bowler Darren Powell, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and spinners Dave Mohammed and Omari Banks come into the squad for the three-Test matches against Pakistan in Lahore, Multan and Karachi.
Five players will leave the squad after the ICC Champions Trophy. Wavell Hinds, Dwayne Smith and Ian Bradshaw will return home, while Carlton Baugh Jr and Marlon Samuels will travel to Hong Kong to participate in the Hong Kong Sixes Tournament.
'It is obviously going to be a tough tour for us, because of our recent history in Test matches abroad, but I'm sure once we rally around each other and support one another we are going to produce a good show in Pakistan,' Ganga said.
'Also it's going to be the first time for myself and a lot of other guys in Pakistan and I am looking forward to the team carrying this winning momentum here in ICC Champions Trophy into that series,' said Ganga a veteran of 38 Tests and 33 One Day Internationals.
'Personally I am looking to get myself match fit as a result of the lack of cricket in the Caribbean,' the 27-year-old right hander said.
Commenting on the West Indies fine showing in the ICC Champions Trophy where they lost the final to Australia, Ganga said the overall performance of the team was inspirational.
'It's been very inspirational, not just myself looking from the Caribbean but I think everyone is very proud of the guys and achievement of making the finals for two tournaments in a row,' Ganga said.
'This confidence in the team is going to do us well in our build up towards World Cup 2007,' Ganga reasoned.
Ganga was also pleased for Lendl Simmons who received his first call up to the senior West Indies team for the tour.
'He has justified the faith that Trinidad and Tobago has placed in him from a tender age and it's a great opportunity to take his game to another level,' the Trinidad and Tobago captain said of the opening batsman.
'I'm sure he'll find it a learning experience and I wish him all the very best on the tour,' Ganga concluded.
After the three Test matches the Windies will face Pakistan in a five-match One Day International series.