Pooran: Windies in a ‘good space’

As West Indies head into Thursday’s final T20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh with the possibility of conditions favouring their opponents’ spinners, captain Nicholas Pooran says he has confidence in his batting unit to respond to the visitors’ attack.

Going into the third T20 at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence with a 1-0 lead after a win in the last game and a washout in the first, Pooran said the squad was in a “good space” and hoped to get good weather to close off the series.

Steady showers had forced a premature end to the first T20I at a refurbished Windsor Park last Saturday, as international cricket returned to Dominica for the first time since 2017. The hosts easily brushed aside Bangladesh in their second encounter the following day, winning by 35 runs.

With indications that the pitch could be a big sluggish given the amount of rainfall in Guyana over the last two months, the Windies skipper suggested that was not a big worry for him.

“Once you can assess conditions really fast, keep a positive mindset, anything could happen on the day. I don’t really want to think too much about Bangladesh. Yes, they have really good quality spinners but I do believe in our batsmen and we have the skills as well to assess on the day and get the results for the team,” he said on Wednesday ahead of the T20I final.

Pooran added that he was pleased with the progress of the batsman from the Netherland series, into the Pakistan series and into the first match against Bangladesh.

“So I’m happy with where the team is going in terms of batting and I just want us to keep supporting each other, cause a lot of guys are going to make mistakes but we need to support these guys… and let them understand one game is not going to dampen their confidence,” he said.

A victory against Bangladesh would further build momentum for the men in maroon ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia starting in October. Pooran said it would be a major confidence booster.

Thursday’s match will bowl off at 1:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Jamaica Time).

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