West Indies need to be more 'ruthless' against Shadab khan, says coach

The West Indies Coach Stuart Law in an interview said his team needs to revise its strategy and be "more ruthless" against Pakistan's 18-year-old debutante Shadab Khan, whom he says the West Indies "gifted" a few wicket, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Legspinner Shadab, in a spectacular show in the first two matches of the four-match T20 International series, scored seven wickets at an average of 3, a strike-rate of 6.8 and an economy rate of 2.6.

He was also named Man of the Match owing to his starring performance leading to all of Pakistan's victories in the Caribbean so far.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Law said, "[Shadab] bowled very well, but I think we've gifted him a few wickets as well. I think we just need to be a little bit more ruthless against him and see what transpires after that."

"We have plans for everyone," coach Law added. "He's not the only one we're talking about, we're talking about everyone else."

"We just need to come up with better execution when we're out in the middle and that's what it boils down to," the West Indies coach said.

This is the team's fifth consecutive defeat ─ all to Pakistan ─ ever since it claimed the 2016 T20 World championship and defeated India in a high-scoring match in Florida.

Coach Law said that West Indies needs to "start playing better cricket" but also warned against making any reactionary decisions.

"We just want to take the emotion out of it tonight. Get up with a clear head tomorrow morning and start thinking about it," he said, adding the team has been bowling, catching and fielding well but it needs to examine how it is batting.

"Fingers crossed on Saturday we turn up and play a proper game of cricket," the West Indies coach said.

Shoaib Malik praises Shadab Khan

Speaking about Shadab's performance, Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik said, "I must appreciate and praise Shadab for the way he has been conducting himself, and taking wickets."

"Obviously we all know, if you're playing against West Indies, you have to keep taking wickets. They are big guys, they hit boundaries and I think this is what we have been doing."

Furthermore, Malik said that the team's physical fitness as well as its fielding has improved.

"Positives, if you look at our fielding, that's where we've always lacked. But the way the guys are putting in an effort here, I think that's a great sign for Pakistan cricket," he said.

But the all-rounder said Pakistan needs to work on its performance while batting in the first six overs.

"I think we're going to sit and talk about it and we will come up with something."