As expected, first match turned out to be a lop-sided with Pakistan
emerging winner over home side without stretched too much. While
Pakistan were clinical in all three departments of the game on Saturday,
West Indies meandered during their batting effort, lacked firepower in
bowling and were unimpressive in the field.
The most disheartened aspect of poor performance came from the West
Indies batsmen lacking any intent and aggression contributing to the low
score which chased down by Pakistan top order without much fuss. They
were stifled against spinners in the middle overs and letting Saeed
Ajmal and co to dominate them.
It is not the talent which Caribbean side who opted for youngsters
this series having dropped big guns lacks in but Darren Sammy led team
is thin on experience that was evident at St Lucia while Pakistan showed
they are plenty of it. The slow and sluggish surface didn’t help either
as shot making was very difficult.
For West Indies to put some fight batsmen need to be purposeful at
the crease and bowlers need to support emerging leg spinner Devendra
Bishoo who did give some tough moments to Pakistan by removing Pakistan
openers in a quick succession. There wasn’t enough after Bishoo as
Pakistan strolled to the target.
After starting the tour poorly losing only t-20 international,
Pakistan were brilliant in all facets of their game to bounce back with a
comprehensive eight wicket victory. Shahid Afridi led side were very
inspiring with the ball, spinners in particular didn’t provide anything
for opponent batsmen to work with.
What would please Pakistan team management the most is the way the
batsmen approached the run chase and finished it without giving home
team any chance of overpowering them.
While openers Ahmad Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez gave team a solid
star, middle order pair of Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul Haq did the
finishing act to complete Pakistan’s clinical display.
Team management would be reminding its players of importance of winning momentum and making winning habit.
Going by the form and the composition of the both sides, it will be
Pakistan which will go into the contest as clear favourites. For home
team to surprise Pakistan, they need their batsmen to play to their
potential and bowlers should avoid bowling too much of hittable stuff.
WEST INDIES
Andre Russell, Anthony Martin, Darren Bravo, Darren Sammy (c),
Devendra Bishoo, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas (wk), Dwayne Bravo (vc),
Kemar Roach, Kirk Edwards, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Ravi
Rampaul
PAKISTAN
Abdur Rehman Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azam, Junaid Khan,
Misbah-ul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman(wk), Sadaf Hussain,
Saeed Ajmal Shahid Afridi (c) Tanvir Ahmed, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal,
Usman Salahuddin
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