CMC – CAPTAIN Jason Mohammed has blamed a lack of application for West Indies’ poor showing in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series against Pakistan here Sunday.
Chasing 204 for victory in the historic fixture at the National Stadium here, the reigning T20 World champions crumbled for 60 all out – their lowest-ever score in the shortest format.
The 143-run defeat was the second heaviest-ever in T20 Internationals and Pakistan’s most emphatic margin of victory.
“It is a good wicket but I think our shot execution [let us down] and we didn’t apply ourselves well enough,” said Mohammed, who is leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Carlos Brathwaite.
“We have to stay positive as a team. We still have matches ahead so we’ll come back strong and come up with some different plans, try and apply ourselves differently and try and do the basics right tomorrow [in the second match].”
In the first high profile international match on Pakistan soil in nine years, the hosts made
the most of the occasion to pile up 203 for five off their 20 overs.
Pakistan were cruising at 140 for two in the 16th over before West Indies clawed their way with three quick wickets to reduce the innings to 156 for five in the 18th.
However, veteran Shoaib Malik took charge of the latter stages of the innings, stroking an unbeaten 37 off 14 balls as Pakistan ended on a high.
Mohammed admitted the Windies had lost the plot at the death.
“It was definitely a tough day. I think we went pretty well with the ball until the last couple of overs,” he lamented.
Despite the result, the importance of the match was not lost on the capacity crowd, which welcomed international cricket back to Karachi.
Until now, Pakistan had played all their home series in the United Arab Emirates, following the 2009 terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan team bus which left several players injured and members of the secuirty forces dead.
Mohammed said he had enjoyed being part of history.
“It’s nice being here. It’s my first time being here for international cricket and it’s nice being in Pakistan.”
The second match is set for Monday at the same venue.
