Brathwaite calls for discipline ahead of final Test
Published:Friday | August 20, 2021 | 12:13 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
With more ICC Test Championship points up for grabs, the second-placed West Indies will be seeking to claim a series sweep against Pakistan in their second and final Test match at Sabina Park today. This would see them jump to the top of the championship standings, however, history is not on the side of the hosts.
The last two times they played Pakistan in a two-match series, the West Indies, after winning the opening Tests, allowed the visitors to stage a comeback and win the last two matches in 2005 and 2011 to square the series.
Despite those statistics, captain Kraigg Brathwaite is confident that his troops can find the winning formula once again and claim a 2-0 series win.
“The key is to stay calm and be disciplined,” he said. “As a bowling group, we were fantastic, and we just need to come back and do that again.
“As a batting group, we know partnerships are key. I think once we focus on the small targets, then the results will take care of themselves.”
With batting still a cause for concern, Brathwaite says the resolve of the batting unit will be tested once again, however, he is adamant that the bat will play a crucial role in the outcome.
“A lot will rely on the batting and us scoring runs,” he said.
With the seam bowlers having a feast on the helpful Sabina Park surface, it would not be a surprise to see the sides opting for some tactical changes heading into the start of today’s contest.
Both spinners, Yasir Shah of Pakistan and Jomel Warrican of the West Indies, were ineffectual in the opening contest, and that may prompt both camps to go for another seam option with Naseem Shah available for Pakistan and Alzarri Joseph or Chemar Holder chomping at the bits to get a chance on the grassy Sabina surface.
Pakistan will be hoping to shrug off the disappointment of losing games they could have won easily. Wicket-keeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan knows all too well that the difference between winning and losing for his side is marginal.
“It’s true that we haven’t been able to capitalise on winning situations overseas,” he said. “We’re concentrating on ironing out those flaws. The boys are working hard and gelling well. Fielding is one area where we need to perform well, and I’m sure we will get that done. We’re confident of doing enough hard work to get the results.”
The game bowls off at 10 a.m.