Windies Tour of Pakistan: A Fresh Chance for Success; Coley Aims for First Series Win Since 1990

Islamabad, Jan 8 (NationPress) With the West Indies set to embark on a two-match Test series against Pakistan, Test coach Andre Coley perceives this as a chance to round off his tenure on a high note. The series, which kicks off on January 17 in Karachi, presents the Caribbean team with an opportunity to gain momentum and confront persistent issues in challenging conditions.

The last time the West Indies claimed a Test victory in Pakistan was in November 1990, when they won the series 1-0, a memory that now feels far removed. Since then, their best performance has been a draw in Multan in 2006. Overall, the teams have faced each other just seven times in Pakistan since that fateful series, with the hosts frequently demonstrating their dominance.

This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, yet it carries minimal importance regarding qualification. Both Pakistan and West Indies find themselves at the bottom of the WTC table, sitting in eighth and ninth place, respectively.

As Daren Sammy prepares to take over as the West Indies Test coach, this series marks the conclusion of Coley’s tenure. He has been dedicated to establishing a more consistent and competitive team. For Coley, this series is not just a farewell; it serves as a platform for players to implement the lessons from 2024 and develop a consistent style of play.

“It’s a new series, a new opportunity. Once you play a series or a match, there’s an opportunity in itself,” Coley stated, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s not about us making history; it’s about applying the learnings from 2024 and maintaining the consistency we’ve worked on over the past year, focusing on the style of cricket we aim to play.

“Different players in the squad who may have missed past opportunities can utilize this as a chance to improve and perform in conditions that may vary in certain aspects.”

Coley highlighted the significance of competing in various settings, remarking, “When discussing Test cricket, it’s not solely the opponent’s skill that presents challenges; the varying conditions, environments, and game situations also test players. That’s why you aspire to compete at this level and in this format, to challenge yourself over several days. The game can shift in an instant.”

The West Indies’ notable achievement in 2024 was a narrow eight-run victory over Australia in Brisbane, largely credited to their bowling unit led by Shamar Joseph. However, inconsistency in the batting order has hindered the team from capitalizing on such successes.

Coley commended his bowlers, including Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, and the spin pair of Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican, who have frequently kept the team competitive. The absence of key bowlers Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales poses a challenge, but Anderson Phillip and spinner Kevin Sinclair add depth to the bowling lineup. With conditions likely to favor spin in Karachi and Multan, Motie and Warrican are anticipated to play crucial roles.

“Of course, Jayden [Seales] is now fully fit, Shamar Joseph made his debut in 2024, Alzarri Joseph… Kemar Roach has excelled in terms of his leadership, both on and off the field, showcasing his skill and mentorship. [Gudakesh] Motie and [Jomel] Warrican have been dependable when given the chance,” Coley remarked.

On the batting side, the coach pointed out promising performances, such as Kavem Hodge’s first century and Alick Athanaze’s near-misses at critical milestones. However, he emphasized the necessity for improved consistency, urging the batters to elevate their game in the upcoming years.

“It’s time, as we move into 2025, for the batsmen to translate their skills into performances after being afforded various opportunities to test themselves.

“We’ve witnessed a few innings where our batters have excelled… Kavem Hodge achieving his first hundred, Alick Athanaze narrowly missing out on at least three; there have been occasions of significant partnerships in our batting lineup. However, they’ve not been consistently effective in securing match-winning totals.”

To acclimatize to Pakistan’s conditions, the West Indies will engage in a three-day tour match in Islamabad starting January 10.

While wins in Pakistan may not drastically alter the WTC standings, they could provide a vital morale boost and lay the groundwork for a more unified performance in future series.

The inaugural Test will take place in Karachi from January 17, followed by the second Test in Multan from January 25, with the West Indies participating in a three-day tour match in Islamabad from January 10 to adapt to the conditions.