West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite has urged his players to adapt quickly to the hot and dry conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of their three-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan.
The West Indies team arrived here on Thursday full of confidence, reports CMC.
The Caribbean side open the tour with a warm-up game against an Emirates Cricket Board XI on Tuesday before facing Pakistan in the opening T20 International three days later at the Dubai International Stadium.
With temperatures expected to soar to nearly 39 degrees Celsius at the weekend, Brathwaite said it was important the West Indies focused intensely on their preparation so they could execute when required.
"It wasn't as hot earlier in the year but apparently we're smack dab in the middle of their summer now so it can get very, very hot," Brathwaite said, referencing the Windies T20 World Cup training camp staged here earlier in the year.
"It is for the players to prepare well, manage themselves well off the field -- rehydration-wise, getting enough rest."
"Each and every one of us are professionals and we know what our bodies need to be at optimal strength to perform so it's just about us doing the things we need to do off the field - planning well, preparing well, practicing well and then evidently performing when the games come."
The West Indies start the series as favourites, especially after crowning themselves world champions six months ago in India.
In their only games since then, they beat powerhouses India, 1-0, in a two-match series in Fort Lauderdale, United States, last month, and Brathwaite said it was key the side built on that success.
"I think this is another important series. We just defeated India and it would be a fantastic boost for the Caribbean people for us to come to Dubai, which has been Pakistan's home for the last few years, come into their backyard and get a series victory against them as well," the all-rounder noted.
"It would say a lot about us as a team - going overseas and contesting a three-game series and coming out on top."
The West Indies underwent a light gym and pool session on Thursday and will have their first full training session on Friday.
Their tour was thrown into upheaval just before their departure from the Caribbean on Tuesday when head coach Phil Simmons was sacked by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
--IANS
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