Tight security has been provided for the West Indies team

The two pacemen will miss the series after being banned from international cricket for failing a drugs test.

"What happened to Asif and Shoaib is a sorry situation. It's very unfortunate.

"There's no reason to hide the fact that we do have an advantage. No team likes to lose its key players and Pakistan will be weakened," said Lara.

West Indies have not won a Test series away from the Caribbean for three years, but confidence is high after reaching the final of the recent ICC Champions Trophy in India.

WEST INDIES IN PAKISTAN 1959 Lost 2-1 1975 Drew 0-0 1980-81 Won 1-0 1986 Drew 1-1 1990 Drew 1-1 1997 Lost 3-0 *Lost 2-0 in 2001 series played in Sharjah

There are marked differences in the squad, however, with batsmen Daren Ganga and Lendl Simmons, spinners Dave Mohammed and Omari Banks and fast bowler Daren Powell replacing the likes of Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels.

"The boys have been doing well in one-day cricket, but we need consistency in the Test arena.

"We want to improve in Test cricket because it is real cricket and tests your skills," coach Bennett King commented.

Lara, meanwhile, hopes to show supporters in Pakistan of his batting talents, 16 years on from his Test debut in the same country, a series in which he only made 129 runs at an average of 21.5.

"I want to leave a legacy and enjoy this trip," he added.