Williams, a positive for Windies

dubai — There have hardly been any positives to glean for the West Indies in the T20 series against Pakistan.

It has been nothing short of a disaster as the format’s world champions have been outplayed comprehensively in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Both the teams are going through a transitional phase but it has been Pakistan who have fared better. For West Indies though, they would have to go back to the drawing board.

One positive that the West Indies can take from the last T20 in Abu Dhabi is that of Kesrick Williams. A late call-up to replace Andre Russell, the pacer was finally handed a debut in Abu Dhabi. And the 26-year-old grabbed it with both hands.

Though it was a lost cause with the West Indies again mustering a paltry total, Williams had a good debut, taking two wickets for 15. What was even more impressive was that he bowled 13 dot balls and didn’t leak a boundary or a six in his four overs.

Williams, who took 17 wickets

I mean cricket is cricket. Whenever you get your chances, you got to execute. As long as you get that shot, you got to grab it with both hands. So, I went out there with my mind free

Kesrick Williams

to help the Jamaica Tallawahs win the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), said that he didn’t over think things and just went out there and gave his best.

“I wouldn’t say it is not an ideal time,” Williams said when asked whether it was not the ideal time to make his debut.

“I mean cricket is cricket. Whenever you get your chances, you got to execute. As long as you get that shot, you got to grab it with both hands. So, I went out there with my mind free, not thinking we lost the series and just went out there and played positive cricket. I did it in CPL. I enjoyed myself playing CPL and that’s what I did here. Go out there and don’t look at it as I’m playing against Pakistan, I’m playing against Sharjeel Khan or whatever. At the end of the day, it is the same cricket. I look at it like I’m playing cricket at home, don’t try to over think it and just do what I do best — bowl and just execute,” he added.

Apart from a good showing from Pakistan, the weather conditions have also been a factor in the West Indies coming up with a below average performance. But Williams said they are slowly adapting to the conditions.

“Even though we lost the game, right now the guys are getting better and there were some good performances. I mean, it is tough, the weather is really hot here and it takes a while to adapt to the conditions.

“But, we are tough cricketers and we always look to give a 110 percent. So, that’s what we did. It is hard. Cricket is a game of uncertainties, so you can’t just come out and say you are going to win today. You just got to put in a lot of work and execute. Pakistan played good cricket and kudos to them. We just have to come to into the ODIs and do well,” said Williams.

james@khaleejtimes.com