GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Despite losing their opening One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh, West Indies white ball captain Nicholas Pooran is confident the men in maroon can still take the three-match series and end their losing streak against the Tigers in this format of the game.
After sweeping the preceding Tests 2-0 and winning the three-match T20 International series 2-0 against the visitors, West Indies paid the price for a below-par batting performance as they fell to a six-wicket loss in the opening ODI at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday.
Sent in to bat first, the home team made 149-9 in a contest reduced to 41 overs per side after rain delayed the start.
West Indies have lost their last six ODI matches against Bangladesh but Pooran said he expects an end to that soon.
“We know Bangladesh has had us in the last couple of [ODI] series, but that’s ok. I feel like we’re still gonna win this series,” he said after the match. “We’ll get the opportunity to come again on Wednesday. We’ll review [Tuesday] and come up with better plans and we’ll definitely punch back.”
West Indies will look to level the series when the teams meet again in the second CG United ODI on Wednesday at the same venue.
“We just need to continue believing, staying in the fight,” the skipper said.
He acknowledged that West Indies did not put enough runs on the board in the first match and that the loss of prolific batsman Shai Hope in the first ball of the second over was a blow to the regional side.
“He’s our best batsman in this format and losing him first ball [was] tough…. But we know the guy, we know he’s gonna come back,” Pooran said, adding that the bowlers could also have done better in the power play.
Although disappointed with the outcome of Monday’s game, he applauded the team’s performance on the field.
“We definitely have been fielding better as a group – taking catches, diving around. It is a really young team. We reflect a lot, we do a lot of homework and we’re trying to get better as a team and as cricketers,” the Trinidadian said.
“You see the guys running around with energy and I can’t ask for any more as a captain on the field. I just hope that we can continue to learn, we could continue to get the support of the management and the coaching staff, the fans, the media, and everyone. Just continue to back us and I believe we will do brilliant things in the future,” he added.
Also up for praise from the West Indies captain was debutant left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s who took his first ODI wicket and ended with figures of 1-18 off nine overs.
“Fantastic getting his opportunity in front of his home crowd and he delivered, unfortunately on the losing side,” Pooran said. “We’re expecting him to continue to bowl like this, not only in this series but in his future.”
