Holder, Ahmed confident as Brighto Paints Q Mobile Cup ODI series bowls off today at Providence

Apr 07, 2017 Sports

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By Zaheer Mohamed
The newly re-laid pitch at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence will come under the

microscope when the West Indies take on Pakistan in the first of the three-match One-day Internationals in the Brighto Paints Q Mobile Cup series.
Previously, the pitch has not been conducive to batting whereas the ball kept low thus resulting in low scoring games; only once did the venue experienced an innings of over 300 which was made by Sri Lanka against the home team in the 2007 CWC.
The new pitch is expected to favour the fast bowlers which will enhance stroke play and fans can look forward to a high scoring series. But if proven otherwise, both teams will have to rely heavily on their spinners.
With eight of the top ten ODI teams guaranteed a direct berth at the World Cup, and with Pakistan currently in eight position in the ICC rankings, one ahead of the host, both teams will be looking to take an early advantage in the series. West Indies need to win all three games to overtake Pakistan in the rankings.
The departure of key players including Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels to the Indian Premier League have left a void in the West Indies team, but their Captain Jason Holder thinks his team can go all the way.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday, Holder said that his players are slowly but surely improving. “The last series didn’t go as planned, we felt we

have competed nicely but we dropped too many catches and didn’t hold on to our chances at crucial stages. We need to cease these moments and this is one of the things we have spoken about, he added.
Holder stated that the pitch looks a lot different but they would have to examine the conditions as early as possible and make sure they know what’s best for the team which he said will be crucial.
Teenage leg spinner Shadab Khan played an important role in Pakistan’s success in the T20 series but Holder said his batsmen will have more time to look at him in this series.
”Shadab has had some success in the T20 series, he is new so we haven’t seen him much but in this one day series we have a bit more time than in the T20 so we can play ourselves in and have better look at him”, he related.
The home team’s batting has been a cause for concern and Holder said it will be important to keep wickets intact in the latter stages of the innings. “Consistency is a problem we have had in recent past, but we have got to work on our game plan to certain bowlers. We have struggled against the slow bowlers in recent, whereas we have lost wickets in a cluster and haven’t gained momentum, so we must ensure that we get that momentum going, he posited.
The Captain pointed out that the mood in the camp is good and the players are positive. “There is no point on dwelling in the past, yes we have to learn from our mistakes but we have to put that behind as quickly and get

a good start to the series. I know the Guyanese people are passionate about their cricket and we are looking forward to give them something to shout about,” said Holder. “
”Pakistan is a good team and the onus is pretty much on them to beat us, but they are only one step ahead of us in the ICC rakings. We have shown in the T20 that we can beat them but we need to cease crucial moments. Each batsman has to spend time in the middle so we can get in the excess of 250 which should be a plus for us.”
Holder explained that the team’s fielding has let them down in the past and this is one of the areas they must improve in to be successful. “We dropped some crucial catches against England, but a collective effort from the players can see us through,” he related.
Following the success in the T20 series, Pakistan Captain Sarfraz Ahmed feels this series is important for both teams since a place in the World Cup is at stake. He said that the conditions here have changed somewhat as compared to when they last visited in 2010 but his players are gelling nicely which is important.
”The players are confident so it is important we get a good start and keep the momentum going and hopefully take the series,” he stated.
A lot will depend on Guyanese leg spinner Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins and Alzarri Joseph to restrict their opponents, Pakistanis Asif Zakir, Fahim Ashraf and Mohammad Asghar are yet to done international colours for their country. The game starts at 09:30hrs.
West Indies – Jason Holder (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton.
Pakistan – Sarfraz Ahmed (Capt.), Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Asif Zakir, Fahim Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Asghar and Mohammad Hafeez.

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