Skipper hopeful of triumph over Pakistan

Despite being on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing in their just concluded T20I series against Australia, West Indies white-ball captain Shai Hope is still confident ahead of his side’s three-match series against Pakistan, which begins on Thursday.

The West Indies will only have three days to regroup ahead of their opening T20I against Pakistan in Lauderhill, Florida.

With such a short break in between series, Hope said it was imperative that his troops forget about the wretched Australia series.

“We have to put this series behind us, literally a quick turnover, so we have to put our focus into what we’re going to do against the Pakistani opposition.

“We have our plans already and we’re going to make sure that we focus hard on them and the biggest thing that I keep mentioning is execution, so as long as our execution is ten times better, I’m sure we’re going to win the series,” Hope said in a post-match interview following his side’s three-wicket defeat to Australia on Monday.

Reflecting on the Australian series, Hope said the regional side failed to string together complete performances in any of the games.

“We either started well with the bat and then faltered in the back end or vice versa.

“When you’re playing against quality opposition like Australia you have to make sure you put your better games together,” Hope maintained.

“We’re all human beings and we don’t always get it right, but if you’re playing against proper opposition like that you really have to be a little more consistent in all three areas.

“We just have to be a little bit better and more ruthless when it comes to our all-around cricket,” the skipper added.

Hope urged West Indian supporters not to lose faith in the team, and promised that they would do everything in their power to turn the results around.

“You just have to keep supporting. We’re going out there trying to fight every single time regardless of what the result is.

“We all want to win, probably even more than you guys, so it’s just one of those things where we’re trying to get the formula right and then when we hit that success button, we’re going to keep hitting it for as long as possible,” he said.

(CMC)