The 22-year-old Trinidadian copped the most lucrative price tag in the Indian Premier League recently but has failed to fire for West Indies, with an average of 13 in 13 T20Is.
“Pollard played very well in Australia but has been struggling since then. It is time we stop hoping that Pollard make runs and look forward to actually getting some big runs from him. He needs to be positive and the [upcoming] camp will be crucial for him,” said Williams, who now serves as assistant to new head coach Ottis Gibson.
“We have to work with him and try to get him in a positive frame of mind. He plays really well when he is confident.”
Though slapped with a big-hitting reputation, the right-handed Pollard is yet to play a quality innings for West Indies in a T20, with his highest score being 38 against New Zealand a year-and-a-half ago in a losing effort.
His last six innings has yielded scores of 6, 9, 3, 12, 5 and 1 as he has scrambled just 36 runs at an average of six.
Pollard is one of two young players in wretched form with wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin also struggling with the bat, and Williams said he would also need to step up.
“Ottis used Denesh up the order in the last couple of games against Zimbabwe and maybe this is an indication that he would be used higher up,” said Williams, a former West Indies wicketkeeper.
“Hopefully his confidence can return and he can play a part in helping his team at this tournament.”
The World T20 Championship will run from April 30 to May 16 and will involve 12 teams across four zones.
West Indies will do battle with England and Ireland in Group D to be hosted in Guyana and Williams believes they can be as successful as they were in the tournament in England last year when they reached the semi-finals.
“We did very well in the last T20 World Cup in England, where we reached the semi-finals, when no one gave us a chance,” said Williams.
“I think that once the players play to their true potential we will again do very well.”
