Glos Islet, St Lucia : Skipper Shahid Afridi urged his players to keep their good form going after they got 2-0 lead over West Indies with a seven-wicket win in second one-day cricket international here. Chasing a target of 221, opener Ahmed Shehzad returned to form with 102 as tourists got home with two overs to spare. Pakistan now have chance to seal five-match series in Barbados on April 28.
"We stuck to the plan from team meeting and it was good," Afridi said on Sky Sports. "The bowlers did a great job and fielding is improving, which is very important for us. The batsmen are taking responsibility so we will try and keep that going."
He was happy to see Shehzad back in runs after he was dropped mid-way through World Cup campaign. "I think he is a very, very talented guy," Afridi added. "He really performed well in New Zealand but didnot have such a good World Cup. Me and team management have confidence in him and he showed he is capable of performing. He took some time but chasing a total of 220 you can do that and he finished the game."
Shehzad returned his skipper's praise and spoke of his 148-ball knock, which ended with 28 more neededwhen he was second of leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo's victims. "I would like to thank my team managementfor way they have supported me. Shahid is man to follow, he is giving confidence to every single individual - I think it is amazing. We had wickets in hand and it was not a huge total on the board, 220. I know my shots and if I slow down I can cover it at the end. That was strategy, to keep wickets in hand."
West Indies have mustered scores of 221-6 and 220 all out during first two ODIs of series and captain Darren Sammy admits it is a concern. "We made a good start with bat but didn't really capitalize on it- spinners bogged us down. We could have got a lot more on the board."
Sammy credited influence of former Test great Desmond Haynes, who has started working with the squad as a batting consultant. "We have Dessie - and you could see a much improved performance in the way weplayed spin. There is still much more work to be done. We have a few days before next game and we'll look to improve."
On bowling, he said: "Young Bishoo, the way (Kemar) Roach started and debutant (Anthony) Martin all showed (good) signs and we fought all the way to the end. It was a better bowling performance but there is still room for improvement." PPI
