Shahid Afridi has called for no let-up from Pakistan after they opened a 2-0 one-day series lead over West Indies.
Afridi impressed by Shehzad's hundred
Shahid Afridi has urged his side to keep their good form going after they opened a 2-0 lead over West Indies with a seven-wicket win in the second one-day international.
Chasing a target of 221 in St Lucia, Ahmed Shehzad returned to form with 102 as the tourists got home with two overs to spare.
Pakistan, semi-finalists at the recent World Cup, now have the chance to seal the five-match series in Barbados on April 28.
"We stuck to the plan from the team meeting and it was good," Afridi said on
Sky Sports.
"...The bowlers did a great job and the fielding is improving, which is very important for us.
"The batsmen are taking responsibility so we will try and keep that going."
Talented
Afridi was also happy to see Shehzad back in the runs after he was dropped mid-way through the World Cup campaign.
"I think he is a very, very talented guy," the Pakistan skipper said of his teenage opener.
"He really performed well in New Zealand but he did not have such a good World Cup.
"Myself and the team management have confidence in him and he showed he is capable of performing.
"He took some time but chasing a total of 220 you can do that and he finished the game."
Shehzad returned his skipper's praise and explained the thought process behind his 148-ball knock, which ended with 28 more needed when he was the second of leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo's victims.
"I would like to thank my team management for the way they have supported me," said the 19-year-old.
"Shahid is the man to follow, he is giving confidence to every single individual - I think it is amazing.
"We had wickets in hand and it was not a huge total on the board, 220. I know my shots and if I slow down I can cover it at the end. That was the strategy, to keep wickets in hand."
Bogged down
West Indies have mustered scores of 221-6 and 220 all out during the first two games of the series and captain Darren Sammy admits it is a concern.
"We made a good start with the bat but didn't really capitalise on it - the spinners bogged us down," said Sammy. "We could have got a lot more on the board."
Sammy, nevertheless, credited the influence of former Test great Desmond Haynes, who has started working with the squad as a batting consultant.
"We have Dessie - and you could see a much improved performance in the way we played spin," he claimed.
"There is still much more work to be done. We have a few days before the next game and we'll look to improve."
On the bowling, he added: "Young Bishoo, the way (Kemar) Roach started and the debutant (Anthony) Martin all showed (good) signs and we fought all the way to the end.
"It was a better bowling performance today but there is still room for improvement."
