‘Windies can be a handful against Pakistan even without top players’

Test and ODI captain Jason Holder says his team needs to start the series well

West Indies Test and ODI skipper Jason Holder thinks his team has the ability to upset Pakistan in the UAE in three-T20I, three-ODI and three-Test series starting from September 23.

This year’s World T20 champions will be without the services of swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle and all-rounder Andre Russell. They were replaced by left-hand batsman Evin Lewis and fast-bowler Kesrick Williams, respectively.

"It's obviously a big loss to lose certain players, but obviously, we have some very capable players in the dressing room to fill their boots," said Holder.

"Lewis was called up at the last minute to replace Gayle, and we saw what he did (100 against India at Lauderhill). I don't think we are short on personnel. It's just a matter of everyone getting in and getting used to international circuit,” he added.

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Holder hopes that youngsters are able to adjust to the brand of cricket that West Indies are famous for.

"We have played a very vibrant brand of cricket, especially in the limited overs, and I think whoever is coming in has the ability to do the same,” he said.

West Indies will kick off their tour with a warm-up game against Emirates Cricket Board XI on Tuesday before they take on Pakistan in the first T20I on Friday and Holder says starting the series well will provide his team with the necessary confidence.

"We are just looking to start the series well. It is important that we start well," said Holder. "We are coming off a very good win against India in the T20I series. We are coming in with a bit of confidence and, hopefully, we can carry it in the heat in Dubai."



Apart from facing a stern opposition from Pakistan, who recently beat Eoin Morgan’s men in the one-off T20I at Old Trafford to wrap up their tour of England, the Caribbean side will also have make do with the soaring temperatures in the UAE.

"I just think it's a situation where we understand these conditions as best as we can and as quickly as we can and get acclimatised to the conditions. The heat is something we are not accustomed to," said Holder.

"We come from the Caribbean, which is quite hot — at times it can get hot — but the humidity in the Caribbean is not as it is here. It is just important to acclimatise ourselves to the conditions here as quickly as possible and play the cricket we are accustomed to,” he added.

Jason Holder was quoted by the Jamaica Gleaner