PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Players union WIPA said yesterday West Indies’ first Test win over Pakistan emphasised the need for experience and youth in the team selection policy.
West Indies defeated Pakistan by 40 runs at the National Stadium at Providence on Sunday, to win their first Test in over two years.
“The victory proves that a judicious mix of experience and youth will always work for us,” WIPA chief executive Dinanath Ramnarine noted.
West Indies started with a youth policy for the one-day series they lost 3-2 but recalled seasoned campaigner Ramnaresh Sarwan for the last two matches and then added veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the first Test.
Ramnarine said that even though the match was Chanderpaul’s first since the World Cup, he showed he was still “Mr Dependable”, especially after his unbeaten 36 in the second innings when West Indies were dismissed for 152.
However, Ramnarine praised the team effort that contributed to the victory.
“This is a hard-fought victory by captain Darren Sammy and the entire team,” Ramnarine said.
“We have kept our home record against Pakistan intact and will not lose a series against them here in the Caribbean. The next step is to complete a sweep of the series in St Kitts.”
West Indies face Pakistan in the second Test starting Friday in St Kitts.
