CRICKET- We’re proud to create history says Hope

TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – After waiting almost three and a half decades to overcome Pakistan in a bilateral ODI series, West Indies white-ball captain Shai Hope said it was a proud moment to end the drought and create history finally.

The Windies defeated Pakistan by 202 runs in the third and final ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday to claim the three-match series 2-1 and earn their first ODI series win over them since 1991.

Hope, who smashed a match-winning, unbeaten century, his 18th in ODI cricket, said it was a sensational feeling to topple Pakistan finally.

“It’s a very proud feeling. Something that we always speak about in the dressing room is trying to create history.

“We’re a powerful team, but we just need to continue being more consistent, and it’s something that we’ve been doing at home for quite some time now. I think over the last two years or so we’ve been defending home court quite nicely,” Hope said while speaking to members of the media after the win.

“It’s a very proud feeling, and I’m sure all the guys will be pleased with the work that they’ve been putting in for the last couple of series. It’s great to get a win here, and as we all know, it’s been about 30-something years, so it’s an excellent feeling for the guys.”

Hope said the team’s achievement was a testament to what could be achieved if they applied themselves in the batting and bowling departments.

He said he was especially impressed with the bowlers for sticking to the game plans in the final two matches.

“It’s vital that we assess the situations better. That’s something we’ve done and adapted very nicely for the last two games, especially in the bowling department. The bowlers stuck to every plan we wanted to execute.

“And similarly with the batters, we had an idea about how we wanted to go about playing against their spinners, especially in the middle. Yes, today we probably could have been a little bit better. There are always areas to improve, but those are things we highlighted as a group in the last few meetings,” Hope explained.

“The progression is there; we just need to be consistent if we want to continue winning games and winning series.”