Abu Dhabi: Such dominant has been Pakistan’s performance in the T20 series against World Champions West Indies that even skipper Sarfraz Ahmed is ‘surprised.’
“We didn’t expect we would win 3-0,” he said after Pakistan routed West Indies 3-0 in the Twenty20 series with another authoritative eight-wicket win in the third and final match in the capital on Tuesday. Pakistan had sealed the series earlier after registering wins in the first two matches by nine wickets and 16 runs in Dubai.
“I will give full credit to the boys for doing everything better than West Indies and were clinical in all three departments and that’s why we have won the series. Seniors Shoaib (Malik) and Sohail Tanvir has also responded well,” said Ahmed, who was confident that the success would help Pakistan in emerging as a strong force in T20 cricket in the coming times.
“Of course, this is the first step towards building a new team. If we want to become a good team then we have to bring consistency. Both junior and senior players are performing and contributing and that is the sign of a good team,” said the wicketkeeper who was handed the baton from Shahid Afridi following Pakistan’s forgettable show in the 2016 World T20, where they were shunted out in the first round.
Ahmed, who also led Pakistan to win against England in one T20 earlier, is yet to lose a match as captain and was of the view that his team was responding well under him and that the young and experienced players were gelling well.
“It’s nice to see seniors and juniors cooperating and contributing. It’s a combination of them and I’m enjoying it as a leader,” said Ahmed, whose team now retain the seventh position with 111 points on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings released on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, who was instrumental in scripting the victory with his stellar performance with the ball claimed three wickets and walked away with the man-of-the-series award, also jumped to 33rd place in the latest rankings released.
“I stick to basics and try to blow wicket-to-wicket. We try to get wicket earlier on or at least keep up the pressure by drying up runs. If I don’t get wickets then others will get wickets from the other end if you don’t allow opposition to score. By the grace of God I have be rewarded,” said Wasim speaking about his showing in the series.
“In the last two three years I have been bowling with the new ball in the domestic circuit. Internationally I have been bowling with new ball for a year and half. I focus on giving 100 per cent and there is no substitute for hard work and it you do that success will come,” added Wasim, who finished with nine wickets and walked away with the man-of-the — series award.
