Windies and Pakistan aim to match former glories

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 13 (Reuters) West Indies and Pakistan launch the ninth World Cup later today at Sabina Park with both seeking to emulate former glories.

West Indies won the first two tournaments in 1975 and 1979 and were runners-up in 1983 -- all under Clive Lloyd's captaincy -- but have struggled since. Pakistan won in 1992 under Imran Khan.

The latest edition sees two of world cricket's most experienced players go head to head. West Indies skipper Brian Lara and opposite number Inzamam-ul-Haq made their World Cup debuts in 1992.

This opening clash is meaningful in that the winner is likely to take through the points to the next Super Eights stage, should the loser also qualify as expected.

Lara will try to emulate the way he began the last World Cup in South Africa when he scored a century in Cape Town when West Indies played the first match there against the hosts.

That day Lara's masterful 116 was enough to claim the man-of-the match award but he was still not able to help his side avoid a defeat by three runs.

Inzamam, in contrast, scored just 19 runs in the whole tournament in South Africa, from six innings. He considers that experience the most embarrassing of his career.

The teams practised on Monday at nearby club Kensington as the net facilities were not ready for use at Sabina Park.

AD BST0814