Lack of awareness proved costly

West Indies seemed to be hanging on for a draw on Sunday, but Gabriel decided to swing hard at the last ball of the penultimate over in the match and was bowled by Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Pakistan won the match by 101 runs and clinched their first Test series victory in the Caribbean.

Gabriel battled for half an hour with centurion Roston Chase (101 not out), but could not survive until the end.

Khan said West Indies need to play smart cricket and show more match awareness. “(We need to) play more smart cricket. For example, with one over to go, that was not very smart in terms of Shannon Gabriel’s dismissal. We got to be able to appreciate situations and be able to adapt to situations and play more smart cricket.” The current manager of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) outfit Amazon Warriors believes the regional team could have held on for a draw because Chase is a recognised batsman and was set at the crease.

“(It was) a lapse of concentration, it happened. We got to be mindful of the fact that there is one over to go. You must be aware of what is happening around you and be smart about it. If you defended that last ball, the last over of the game Roston Chase (would be facing), who is recognised. He would have done the job and we would have at least drawn the series.” Despite Gabriel’s lack of judgement at the end of the series, he was one of the bright sparks for the West Indies with the ball, grabbing 15 wickets in the series.

His best bowling figures came in the Second Test in Barbados when he snatched five for 11.

Khan is glad to see Gabriel developing into a top fast bowler and, along with Alzarri Joseph, is optimistic about the future.

“It is good to see Shannon Gabriel coming good. Shannon is now one of the pillars on the fast bowling attack and with Alzarri Joseph there is some hope with the fast bowling area.” Khan said legspinner Devendra Bishoo needs to be more consistent with his line and length and try to be more penetrative.

Chase was the West Indies top batsman in the series scoring 403 runs with two centuries and two half centuries. His highest score was 131 and he averaged 100.75 during the series.

“He (Chase) has demonstrated that he could play at the highest level of the game consistently well. He is consistent which I hope he continues to be. That is what we need, someone in the middle who could hold the batting together after we lost someone like (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul.” Khan said he was disappointed with opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who struggled throughout the series.

However, he is hopeful about the batting going forward with the emergence of Chase along with Shai Hope and Brathwaite, and the eventual return of Darren Bravo. Bravo is currently out of West Indies colours due to his dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).