KARACHI, Pakistan, CMC – West Indies captain Jason Mohammed was left once again to lament his side’s poor performance, after they slipped to a second defeat in as many days here yesterday, to concede the three-match series to Pakistan.
Chasing an improbable target of 206, West Indies were dismissed for 123 with four balls remaining at the National Stadium, to lose by 82 runs.
The defeat followed on from Sunday’s 143-run crushing loss in the opening Twenty20 International at the same venue, when the Caribbean side’s batting also failed miserably.
“It was still a disappointing performance with both bat and ball,” said Mohammed.
Twenty20 skipper Jason Mohammed.
“Yes, it was a little better with the bat but still not good enough to get in a good performance and get us over the line.”
Opting for first knock, Pakistan effectively batted the reigning World champions out of the contest when they piled up 205 for three from their 20 overs – their highest-ever total in T20 Internationals.
They were spearheaded by opener Babar Azam who stroked 97 not out while Hussain Talat, in only his second international following his debut on Sunday, struck 63 to record his maiden half-century.
And with the Windies bowlers once again inconsistent, Mohammed said containing Pakistan had proven difficult.
“We try to set aggressive fields and try to pick up a couple wickets early and then coming down to the end you have to defend but it’s difficult at times especially when the batters are going well,” said the 31-year-old.
The three-match series will wrap up today with the final T20I at the National Stadium, completing the first bilateral tour on Pakistani soil in nine years following the terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan team bus which led to a cessation of international matches in the country.
Owing to security concerns, the matches have been played back-to-back, with the Windies having arrived late Saturday night and scheduled to leave immediately following the final match.
Mohammed, standing in for regular skipper Carlos Brathwaite who was one of several senior players opting out of the series, said the Windies were hoping to finish the tour on a high.
“Hopefully we can put in a good performance before we go home and go back with a victory,” he explained. “It would be nice to finish [the series] 2-1, in the position we’re in right now.”
