Drop Pollard for final ODI: Waqar to West Indies

Sharjah, Oct 4 (IANS) Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis believes Kieron Pollard is hurting the West Indies team's morale with his lackadaisical approach and should be axed for Wednesday's final One-Day International against Pakistan.

Waqar said the big-hitting all-rounder "did not even try" as the Caribbean side slid to a 59-run defeat in pursuit of an imposing 338 for victory at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, reports CMC.

Pollard entered in the 38th over with the West Indies on 194 for four and facing a required run rate of nearly 12 runs an over but displayed little aggressive intent.

"His approach and the way he played in this game and in any of the T20 games, you're destroying the morale of the team," said Waqar on Monday, the second highest wicket-taker in Pakistan Test history with 373 scalps from 87 games.

"The way he batted - he went in with 11 an over or about 12 an over required and he is known for this sort of situation. And he just went in and he hit one boundary and batted the entire time and not going anywhere.

"He wasn't there, he was not in the middle so I feel he needs a break. Whoever you want to bring in, Pollard needs a break. That's how I feel."

Pollard has been a peripheral figure in what has been a wretched series, as the West Indies have lost all five of their games against Pakistan, spanning the three-match Twenty20 series and the ongoing two of the three-match One-Day series.

The right-hander managed nine from 17 balls in the first T20 which the West Indies lost by eight wickets, scored 18 from 13 deliveries in the side's 16-run defeat in the second game and got 16 from 12 balls in the last game which ended in an eight-wicket loss.

So far in the two One-Days, Pollard has scored nine and 22 - the latter innings on Sunday requiring 29 balls and ending with him getting out in the deep in the penultimate over with the fate of the game already decided.

Former West Indies batsman and captain Vivian Richards, also a television analyst for the series, agreed changes were necessary for the final One-Day, with Pollard perhaps sitting out and left-hander Jonathan Carter coming in.

He also argued for Shannon Gabriel to play alongside 19-year-old speedster Alzarri Joseph, who made his debut in the second One-Day.

"I think that if Shannon is fit for the next match why not play the two individuals (Gabriel and Joseph). It's a good suggestion in terms of Pollard, (he) didn't really show up tonight (Sunday)," Richards said on Monday.

"? but those particular two in that sense in the fast bowling department, it would be nice to see Shannon Gabriel back (alongside) Alzarri Joseph."

--IANS

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