Winless Chanderpaul worried over losing streak

The regional team lost their sixth successive One Day International on Wednesday, going down by 59 runs to Pakistan, in the opening match of the three-match Digicel Series at Arnos Vale Ground.

West Indies now need to win the two remaining matches this weekend in order to avoid yet another series loss.

Chanderpaul said his team needs to rise to the occasion. "Obviously we can come back (in the series) but we need to get out of this habit (of losing) and go out there and play some cricket," Chanderpaul said during Wednesday’s post-match interview. "The batters need to put down their heads and make sure they get the job done."

The West Indies seemed on their way to breaking out of their losing streak when they dismissed Pakistan for a seemingly paltry 192 in 44.3 overs, after winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

In reply however, the West Indies lost wickets steadily and only Dwayne Bravo with 27 and Chris Gayle (22) showed any resistance as the West Indies crumbled for 133 in 45.2 overs.

"We didn’t build any partnerships up the order and it just went right down to the bottom of our batting. We need to start building partnerships and take it through," the skipper said.

Chanderpaul, who lost the recent Test and ODI series to South Africa, blamed the loss on the batting’s poor showing. "The bowlers did well, the fielders backed up also in the field. There is no excuse for us losing this game today — 190 on the boards... we should have gotten it," Chanderpaul said.

Windies coach, Bennett King accepted his share of the blame for his side’s dismal recent displays, going back to the Test and one-day series against South Africa. "I’m prepared to take the blame for a lot of the stuff because we’ve had to try and come in a very short space of time and play Test cricket and one-day cricket and we’ve worked the boys hard in that time," he admitted.

"We’re pushing them harder. And that’s why I said I’m not blaming my players for feeling tired when they come into matches, that’s my fault."

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said, "I thought 192 was not a bad total and we defended it well, I thought Rana and Razzaq bowled beautifully.

"We have worked hard, the boys are confident and they played positive cricket. That is a good sign for us."

The remaining two fixtures of the three-match series take place this weekend in St Lucia.