The Future Tours Programme draft does not include a single bilateral series between the archrivals, even though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had promised earlier that the two nations would meet at least once a year.

“The BCCI has been very harsh on Pakistan in not inviting them to play a single match in the future. They do not realise that it is very important for Asia and world cricket that India and Pakistan play together,” Akram was quoted as saying by ESPN Mobile.

“India should have been sensitive towards Pakistan cricket and its upliftment in the subcontinent. An India-Pakistan series is even bigger than the Ashes, hence the two nations should actually be playing more often not only to generate revenue but heal whatever political bitterness exists,” he said.

Akram however hopes the situation will improve. “India may not have time in 2010 but hopefully they will find space to play Pakistan in the coming years. Sports has a great healing touch and cricket will prove to be a great leveller.”

Yuvraj smashed one of his typically dazzling centuries and comeback man Dinesh Karthik struck a solid 67 as India set the West Indies a stiff 340-run target.

West Indies put up a brave fight with a 65-run first wicket stand between C.H Gayle and R.S. Morton and a third wicket 51-run partnership between R.R Sarwan and S. Chanderpaul, though losing wickets at regular intervals.

The match tilted towards India after Chanderpaul was out for 63 in the 36th over bowled by Yusuf Pathan.

However, a promising eight-wicket stand of 44 runs between D.E. Bernard and D. Ramdin kept the West Indies hope alive at the end.

But Indians quickly came back into the game and bowled out the West Indies for 319 with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, Yuvraj (131, 102 balls, 7 sixes, 10 fours) and Karthik (77b, 1×6, 6×4) set the Indians on course for a big total with their 135-run third-wicket partnership.

It was further consolidated by an 86-runs fourth-wicket stand between Yuvraj and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (41, 41 balls, 1×6, 1×4) off who earlier won the toss and decided to bat.

In the rear, Yusuf Pathan chipped in with 40 not out (38b, 2×6, 2×4) and Harbhajan Singh 21 not out (13b, 2×6) to swell the total to 339 for six.

The start, however, was not encouraging with both Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma succumbing to short-pitched deliveries, trying ambitious shots. Gautam top-edged a hook off Jerome Taylor and Sharma perished failing to control a pull off David Bernard.

Yuvraj’s spectacular innings fetched him the man of the match title.

After a horrendous performance at the Twenty20 World Cup, India will look to restore pride while their opponents would love to transform the fine form they exhibited in England into the one-day internationals.

India, who entered the World T20 as defending champions, returned empty-handed, much to the chagrin of their fans. In fact, it was the seven-wicket loss to the West Indies in the first SuperEights game that dented India’s hopes.

Tiredness and injuries were said to be the cause of India’s demise, but they have had close to two weeks to relax and prepare for this series in the Caribbean.

Apart from restoring pride, India will consider this as an opportunity to leapfrog Australia, and target chart-toppers South Africa in the ODI rankings. They are currently placed third.

Needless to say, this promises to be an invigorating series. India haven’t played an ODI series since their tour to New Zealand in March.

However, their recent record has been impressive. They have lost only three of their last 18 matches, and have emerged as one of strongest ODI sides over the last year.

But then, the West Indies could be a tricky opposition, especially in their backyard. Despite making the semis in World T20, their tour to England could be termed miserable. They were thrashed in the Tests and also in the ODIs.

India will go into the match with a minor advantage though. They have been in the Jamaican capital since last Friday while the West Indies players – including a few fresh faces -started arriving only on Tuesday. Yet West Indies coach John Dyson has a warning for the Indians.

“We will play aggressive cricket, we will play to win as always, and we will aim for consistency,” said Dyson.

“We always look at the opposition and try and determine who the key players are for the opposition and think of ways that we may combat those key players.”

The short ODI series against India is part of a busy home programme for the West Indies, who also host Bangladesh for two Tests, three ODIs and a T20 international in July and August.

Squads (from):
West Indies: Gayle (capt),  Ramdin, Baker, Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Benn, Bernard Jr, Chanderpaul, Deonarine, Morton, Rampaul, Sarwan, Taylor
India :MS Dhoni (capt), Yuvraj, Gambhir, Rohit, Harbhajan, Ojha, Yusuf, Vijay, Badrinath, RP Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant, Nayar, Nehra, Jadeja, Karthik

Even though the arch-rivals did not meet in the main tournament, they featured in a sold-out warm-up match and Afridi alleged Dhoni and his men did not look keen to play Pakistan even though they claimed so.

“I was a bit disappointed. It didn’t appear to me by the attitude of the Indian players that they want to play against us,” Afridi told ‘Geo TV’ after his arriving home this morning.

“On the face, they said they would like to see cricket between the two countries but I think in their hearts they thought otherwise. Their attitude and behaviour while playing against us showed this,” Afridi said.

Pakistan and India froze bilateral cricket ties since the Mumbai terror attacks last November with the Indians canceling a scheduled Test tour earlier this year.

Afridi said he still believed that cricket could heal relations between the two nations and bring people together. “I always say use sports to foster good relations and remove misunderstandings,” said Afridi who starred in the tournament both with the bat and ball.

He said Pakistan had proved critics wrong by winning the World Cup when everyone had tipped India and South Africa as favourites.

“I think our performance is a lesson for other teams. We are world champions and I hope teams will now come to Pakistan.”
Afridi said Pakistan need to build on their historic victory.

“We are proud champions and, more so, we lived up to the expectations of millions of cricket fans in the country who were seeking some moments of smile,” Afridi said.

“We have met success in one event, but now we have to carry forward this momentum and win more and more series in future,” he said.

Dyson said they have chalked out strategies to tackle key Indian players, though he admitted the new members in the side could spring a surprise.

India would take field in the first of the four ODIs at Sabina Park here Friday, with key players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan missing from the series.

“We will play aggressive cricket, we will play to win as always, and we will aim for consistency of performance,” Dyson was quoted in the media here Wednesday.

“The players love the sunshine on their back, they like the warmer temperature, the local food. Of course, they like being home. They missed their families while they were away in England and getting back to the Caribbean will suit them down to the ground,” said the former Australian Test opener.

West Indies are high on form and confidence after reaching the semi-final of the World Twenty20 in England.

Skipper Chris Gayle led the side from the front with some smashing knocks as West Indies demolished Australia in the group stage and then went on to upset India and England in the Super Eights to become surprise semifinalists before falling to Sri Lanka.

Dyson said they are ready with a plan to combat the Indians.

“We always look at the opposition and try and determine who the key players are for the opposition and think of ways that we may combat those key players. What we don’t know, of course, is from the lower-profile players, how they are going to perform and perform consistently throughout a series. So that’s something we have to monitor as the series progresses.”