The West Indies' bowling coach, Ravi Rampaul, has highlighted the team's lack of consistency, particularly from their faster bowlers, as a key issue in their second Test match against Pakistan. Speaking after the second day's play, Rampaul noted that the pitch had become better to bat on, which had negatively impacted the West Indies' bowlers.
Rampaul's analysis revealed that the pitch's deterioration had reduced the assistance available for the faster bowlers, making it harder for them to dry up runs. This was evident in the run rate comparison between the two teams, with Pakistan scoring at a rate of 4.03 runs per over, compared to the West Indies' 3.25 runs per over in their first innings.
The Trinidadian coach emphasized the importance of consistency in bowling, especially in conditions where the pitch or ball isn't providing much assistance. He believes that by being more consistent, the West Indies' faster bowlers can create opportunities for their spinners to take wickets and dry up runs.
Rampaul also praised the Pakistani batting duo of Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam for their strong performance on day two. He noted that their ability to defend good balls and put away bad ones, coupled with their efficient running between the wickets, made it challenging for the West Indies' bowlers to settle and build a partnership.
Looking ahead, Rampaul expressed hope that the pitch will continue to deteriorate, providing more assistance for the slower bowlers and allowing the West Indies' spinners to gain more purchase from the conditions. This could potentially shift the balance of the match in favor of the West Indies as the game progresses.