Brian Lara slams West Indies selectors for omitting Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard

Brian Lara has criticised the West Indies selectors for leaving Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo out of the World Cup squad.

The team's preparations for the tournament were hit by pay disputes and the surprising omission of both Pollard and Bravo - a decision which produced an angry reaction from opener Chris Gayle.

A defeat to Ireland in their opening Pool B fixture put the Windies under more pressure, and Lara believes that the selectors only have themselves to blame.

"I believe we have shot ourselves in the foot, and had the people who selected our team seen the World Cup for the prestigious tournament it is, both Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo would have been in Australia and New Zealand," Lara told reporters.

"It is hard to understand the reasons why they are absent. It's a self-inflicted blow, for sure."

The West Indies and Pakistan both go in search of their first win when they meet in Christchurch tomorrow.