West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul has issued a call for greater consistency from his fast-bowling unit after a challenging second day in the ongoing Test match against Pakistan in Port of Spain. By the close of play, Pakistan had reached 266 for 2, trailing the hosts' first-innings total of 344 by 78 runs.
Rampaul acknowledged that the pitch at Queen's Park Oval appeared to have flattened out, offering less assistance to the quick bowlers compared to the previous day. While the spinners still found some help, Rampaul noted that the overall bowling performance suffered from a lack of discipline. He pointed out that the team struggled to maintain pressure, allowing Pakistan to score at a run rate of 4.03 over 66 overs, significantly higher than the 3.25 rate managed by the West Indies in their own first innings.
The coach emphasized that in conditions where the pitch offers little movement, consistency becomes the most vital tool for taking wickets. Rampaul explained that his primary goal for the pacers is to dry up the scoring, which would create more opportunities for the spinners to attack. He praised the partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam, whose unbroken 168-run stand proved difficult to break. According to Rampaul, the pair defended well against good deliveries, capitalized on loose balls, and ran effectively between the wickets to prevent the bowlers from settling into a rhythm.
Looking ahead, Rampaul, a Trinidadian who has extensive experience at the venue, expressed optimism that the surface will deteriorate as the match progresses. "Based on what I saw yesterday, I think it had gotten a little better for batting today," he noted. "On past experience, it should get a little more deterioration to help the slower bowlers a little bit more. Hopefully. I'm hoping that happens so that our spinners can get more purchase from the conditions." This match is part of the West Indies vs Pakistan series in the ICC World Test Championship.
"Definitely our consistency as a bowling group needs to be better," Rampaul said. "In these conditions, when nothing is happening with the pitch or even with the ball, consistency helps bring wickets.
Ravi RampaulPakistanWest IndiesWest Indies vs PakistanPakistan tour of West IndiesICC World Test Championship
