The other two teams in the competition are South Africa and Pakistan. The match holds significance in the background that Sri Lanka will be facing the West Indies for the first time since the Caribbean forfeited its World Cup match in Sri Lanka for security reasons.
Australia, who had forced the West Indies to take the decision, were beaten by Sri Lanka in the final of the mega event 20 months ago. Besides, it will be the first match between the two countries in exactly two years. The last time the two sides met in Sharjah where the West Indies won by their skin of teeth by four runs.
Sri Lanka, after being crowned the world champions, have played in four one-day international tournaments - winning India's Independence Cup and the Asia Cup. But they had their losses too when they failed to qualify for the finals of the four-nation tournament in Kenya in September last followed by their failure to play the final of the Sharjah Cup two months later.
Both the sides will be finalise their side in the morning. The teams consist of some world-class players and the match should head to an exciting finish.
Both the sides started their practice sessions on Friday afternoon at the Qadhafi Stadium and completed that in the evening under floodlights. The pitch of the Qadhafi Stadium looks brownish. Whatever grass was present on it has been shaved off. On the contrary, the outfield is lush-green and looks fast. Sun has been shining brightly in Lahore and the pleasant cold of early November makes the setting ideal for cricket among top teams of the world. Occasionally, cool breeze also blows which makes weather more enjoyable. The tournament is being organised as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Pakistan.
Talking to this reporter, West Indies manager Clive Lloyd, himself a very successful captain of his time, said that announcement of the West Indies team for the first match of the tournament has been deferred till Saturday morning.
``In all probability, we will have a meeting in the morning and then finalise the squad for the inaugural match,'' said the sober-looking Clive Lloyd who gave the impression that he meant business.
Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga said his side for the match will also be named on Saturday morning after having a final look at the pitch. Players of both the teams look fully fit and in fine fettle. Sri Lanka have won 16 one-day matches out of 20 this year, including taking the Asia Cup.
Their batsmen whose scintillating strokeplay has paved the way for much of their success will all be at the Lahore tournament. Ranatunga, who has made 6,018 runs in his 221 one-day internationals, and Aravinda de Silva (6,932 runs in 218 games), have immense experience to complement explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya (3,592 runs in 141 matches) and middle order batsman Roshan Mahanama (4,362 in 176). The biggest advantage of the Sri Lanka side is that it includes some very fine all-rounders. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga is a reliable middle-order batsman and very useful medium-pace bowler. The left-handed Sanath Jayasuria is a very exciting stroke-player and good left-arm spinner. Kumara Dharmasena is a good middle-order batsman and a useful off-spinner. Arvinda de Silva is a world-class batsman and a very fine off-spinner. The team also has specialists young opener Marvin Atapattu, the experienced batsmen like Hishan Tillekeratne and Roshan Mahanama.
The Sri Lanka team is served well by the world-class off-spinner Mutiah Muralitharan and two good left-arm pacemen Chaminda Vaas and Sanjeeva de Silva. The wicketkeeper Lanka de Silva should also strengthen the middle-order batting.
Fielding, particularly catching of the Sri Lanka side has always been a strong point. It has been improving with every passing day. But in this particular department, the West Indies team is also not far behind the Sri Lanka side.
The biggest advantage of the West Indies team is that it is being managed by a former Test cricketer Clive Lloyd, who had successfully led his side in the first two World Cup Cricket Tournament held in England in 1975 and 1979. Clive Lloyd has been the most successful captain of cricket history both in Tests and one-day international matches.
The Caribbean team has an edge over the Sri Lanka team in pace bowling. The team has two highly experienced and excellent pacemen Curtly Ambrose and Ian Bishop and young paceman Franklyn Rose. Both will be assisted by Sherwin Campbell and Philip Simmons. The team has services of an experienced off-spinner Carl Hooper.
The West Indies batting is strong in presence of the greatest batsman of present times Brian Lara. It has reliable batsmen like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Phil Simmons and Stuart Williams. The two evenly-balanced sides will clash in the inaugural match of the tournament. After winning the Sixth World Cup Cricket Tournament at the same ground, the Sri Lanka side has not looked back. It has been riding high and winning most of the limited-over competitions in which it has been playing. Although the West Indies team has not been registering wins in recent years yet it has the potential to surprise any team on its day. Whenever it clicks, the West Indies team demolishes the best side in the world. One will not be surprised if the Sri Lanka team is also licked in first match of this tournament on Saturday.
Pakistan, who play South Africa in the second game on Sunday, seek to bounce back from a rare home test series defeat, 1-0 against the same opponents in the recent three-match rubber.
Pakistan have been further strengthened by the inclusion of fast bowler Aqib Javed, wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, and batsmen Shahid Afridi and Aamir Sohail.
South Africa, who enjoy a 9-7 edge over Pakistan from 16 one-day matches, haave been reinforced by all-rounder Fanie de Villiers.
Teams:
West Indies: Courtney Walsh (captain), Brian Lara, Stuart Williams, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Roland Holder, David Williams, Ian Bishop, Franklyn Rose, Curtly Ambrose, Mervyn Dillon, Phil Simmons, Philo Wallace and Raul Lewis
Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga (captain), Aravinda de Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillekeratne, Lanka de Silva, Kumara Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Sajeewa de Silva, Duleep Liyanage, Upul Chandana and Russell Arnold.
Umpires: Salim Badar and Javed Akhter (Pakistan)
TV Umpire: Said Shah
Match Referee: Ahmad Ibraheem (Zimbabwe).