‘We have to be positive and smarter’ – Jason Mohammed

After crumbling to a massive 143-run defeat in the first Twenty20 International against Pakistan in Karachi, Jason Mohammed felt his inexperienced side needed to “improve all around”, especially with the bat.

The Windies were bundled for their lowest T20I total of 60 after Pakistan matched their highest total in the format – 203/5 – on Sunday 1 April.

“We just have to improve all around,” said Mohammed, handed the captaincy in the absence of Carlos Brathwaite as well as a number of other senior players. “We need to apply ourselves, especially in the batting department. Our shot selection needs to be better and we need to put partnerships. Losing wickets in every over put us under a lot of pressure. We just have to be positive and be smarter about it tomorrow (in the second game).

“Losing three wickets in the first two overs puts you in a lot of pressure and that too your three top-order batsmen. It's just for us to put up better performance and put up partnerships.”

Apart from Brathwaite, the regular T20I captain, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder and Devendra Bishoo made themselves unavailable for the historic series due to security concerns, while some others are in India for the Indian Premier League. The absence of the experienced players was felt but Mohammed had confidence in his players.

“Obviously it's nice when you have experienced players but we can't do much at this point of time because the guys have gone off to the IPL,” Mohammed said. “Yes, we have an inexperienced team, but I think the guys here can do the job as well. A couple of senior guys and some youngsters, who have come here, they are quite capable of doing the job. Hopefully, we will do the job tomorrow, especially with the bat.

“Obviously there will be a bit of jetlag. But I think our performance just wasn't good enough at the end of the day.”

The last international series that took place in Pakistan was when a World XI side visited for three T20Is in September 2017. Before and after that, the final of the Pakistan Super League has been held in the country too, with a number of Caribbean cricketers in the mix.

“It has been very nice coming here. They have done an excellent job. We feel very safe and fans were very nice at the ground. We feel comfortable being here,” said Mohammed of the experience as the team play their part in the resumption of regular international cricket in Pakistan.