‘We have been playing good cricket’

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

AKEAL HOSEIN says West Indies are taking no team for granted in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup, following their comprehensive win over minnows Uganda on Saturday night.

The Caribbean side steamrolled the African nation by 134 runs after racking up 173 for five at the Guyana National Stadium and then bundling out their opponents for a paltry 39.

And with West Indies turning their attention to New Zealand in their next match on Wednesday in Trinidad, Hosein said it was important for the team to maintain their intensity.

“I think we are not taking anyone lightly. Our aim is two points no matter who we come up against,” said the left-arm spinner, whose career-best five-wicket haul on Saturday spearheaded West Indies’ dominant win.

“Yes, we will go back and plan. We know there may be a stronger unit than this opposition but going forward, every opposition we come up against, the aim is to get two points. And we’re not taking anyone for granted.”

West Indies have now won both their matches, following their opening victory against Papua New Guinea last week, and are second in Group C behind Afghanistan, but only on net run rate.

New Zealand, meanwhile, were stunned by Afghanistan in their opening game and lie bottom of the group, the West Indies contest at Brian Lara Stadium now a critical fixture for them.

Hosein said the home side was confident and was under no pressure heading into the game.

“I think going into the third game, we definitely are a force to reckon with,” he said.

“We have been playing good cricket over the last 12 years and we have improved immensely in areas that we weren’t the best at, so I think [there is] no pressure.

“We know once we stick together and we do everything together at the end of the day, we’ll definitely be on the positive side coming out on the winning side.

“And to have guys like Andre Russell and head coach Daren Sammy, these guys who’ve been there, done that, it’s an extra boost for us.

“It’s a confidence booster and you can never beat experience going into these sorts of tournaments – guys who’ve been there done that, you’re always a step ahead of oppositions who may not have this sort of people in their camp, so it’s a boost for us.”

Two-time former champions West Indies will wrap up their group stage campaign against Afghanistan in St Lucia on June 17.