MULTAN, Pakistan (CMC):
Despite the West Indies’ whitewash in their ODI series against Pakistan, skipper Nicholas Pooran says the team has emerged more united and followers of the game can expect a turnaround in the regional side over time.
He said the players had shown a commendable commitment to keep fighting – even in sweltering 45-degree Celsius heat in Multan on the heels of a 3-0 defeat of the Netherlands in cooler temperatures – and they had gelled throughout the three-match series.
“A lot of guys got sick as well,” he revealed. “We said from the beginning of the tournament we’re gonna stick together; no matter what the result we’re gonna stick together and that’s what happened,” he said after Sunday’s defeat in the final ODI.
West Indies lost the series opener – in which Shai Hope got his 12th ODI century – by five wickets, but fell to a heavier defeat in the second match which they lost by 120 runs.
They came a bit closer to victory in the final match, after managing to restrict Pakistan to 269 for nine but eventually lost by 53 runs.
“A lot of people would be upset that we lost and a lot of people would bash us as well that we lost, but to me, I felt like we got really close as a team. It’s my second tour as captain and I felt like we’re actually really building a family here and that’s a positive we’re going to take…. Despite the results, we had a good showing, especially in the first game,” said Pooran.
In that regard, the white-ball captain singled out Hope and Alzarri Joseph who continued to lead with the bat and ball, respectively; Akeal Hosein who showed that he is “world-class”; Shamarh Brooks who “is coming into his own”; Keemo Paul who returned to the team and “did well” in the last match; as well as the younger players, Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip.
“Looking forward, we are definitely gonna be winning some games and hopefully make [fans] proud,” he said.
Pooran has appealed to fans to give the West Indies time to get back to the top of their game.
“This is just the start for us and I think the future is bright for us as a team, but we’re taking it step by step and we’re gonna be very patient. Pakistan was once like us – they were losing and they’re very consistent now as a team, but it takes time and we need everyone to understand that.
“We as a team understand that and we’re trying to get closer off the field and that’s the first step, so we’re looking forward to the Bangladesh series and hopefully, we give a good showing of ourselves there.”
West Indies will host Bangladesh in a three-match T20 International series on July 3-7, followed by a three-match ODI series from July 10 to 16.
Before then, however, the Test team will take on the visitors in two matches, starting Thursday and June 24.
Asked what advice he had for the red-ball squad, Pooran said: “Get wickets, make runs, be smart. Coming from these conditions obviously, it took a toll on every single one [of us]…. I wish this Test team all the best and I’m looking forward to getting a series victory against Bangladesh. They’ve [Bangladesh] been playing really good Test cricket as well but we’re looking forward for these guys to perform and continue to make us proud.”