Despite Losing the opening Test against Pakistan inside three days, West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite is still confident his team can rebound in the second with a better effort.
Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series with a 127-run win in the opening Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday, after another disappointing showing by the visitors.
Spinners dominated the contest, taking 37 of the 40 wickets to fall.
And while Brathwaite admitted that the pitch was difficult to bat on, he said the West Indies needed to improve in both the bowling and batting departments, especially with similar conditions expected in the second Test which bowls off on Saturday at the same venue.
“It was a difficult pitch to bat on for sure, but we just have to come good. We expect the same type of pitch in the second Test, so we have to come better,” said Brathwaite.
West Indies were skittled out for 137 and 123 as they struggled to cope with Pakistan’s spinners.
They had Pakistan on the ropes in the first innings at 46 for four, but half-centuries by Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan helped them to get up to 230.
Brathwaite said while it was obvious the batters needed to play their part, the bowlers also needed to be more strategic.
“I think a better all-around performance. I do think that we can improve bowling wise. I think we gave them 50-60 runs too much in the first innings because the pitch spun from ball one, so I think we didn’t bring forward the batsmen as much in the first innings and create pressure to get wickets,” Brathwaite pointed out.
“In saying that, obviously we didn’t bat as good as we could. I think Alick Athanaze showed today [Sunday] how easy it can be once you are brave in your shot selection.
“But the top six has to be able to bat at least a session…we have to bat better, we have to find a way,” he maintained.
Leg spinner Jomel Warrican starred despite the defeat, with his match haul of 10-101 the best by a West Indian at the venue and third best by a visiting bowler.
Brathwaite had nothing but praise for Warrican’s performance.
“It’s great to see. I know Jomel has worked extremely hard over the years so it’s good to see him get his first five-wicket haul. He had a lot of four wicket hauls so that was good to see that his hard work has paid off.
“He bowled well, he was consistent, and I wish him all the best in the second Test match,” Brathwaite said.