Mind Game - Adams Says There's Still Room For Improvement

The West Indies faltered for the first time this season yesterday, and already captain Jimmy Adams has put his hands on the reason.

'As I keep saying, there is room for improvement in our cricket and in a few areas we were a bit exposed today,' he said as his batsmen fell for 180 trying to reach 198.

The win, before a large and colourful crowd at Kensington Oval, gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the Cable & Wireless One-Day Trophy finals.

'The main thing was more on the mental side. With a bit more experience and a few more games, we will definitely improve in this area. The challenge is on for the next two games in Trinidad and I'm looking forward to the entire team rising to this challeange.'

The West Indies and Pakistan will face off in the second and third finals at Queen's Park Oval on Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday's lost was the first for the Windies since Adams took over from Brian Lara as captain.

It came after two Tests and two One-Day wins over Zimbabwe, and two One-Day victories over Pakistan in the preliminary round of the tri-nation series.

Adams said the target was not a great one, but at the same time it was not easy. He noted that with the opponents bowling attack, including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed it would never have been a cakewalk.

'We were happy after our time in the field chasing 198, but again it was an experience for the entire team and it's one I'm certain we are going to learn from and gain as much as we can for the next two games.'

Pakistan captain Moin Khan said the West Indies played straight into their hands by not getting after the bowling in the early stages.

'They [West Indies batsmen] were just trying to stop the ball in the beginning I thought, and the bowlers did a great job for us and they won us the match,' said the experienced wicketkeeper.

Moin praised allrounder Wasim, who won the Man-Of-The-Match award for his 42 not out and tight bowling, and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed for 'tremendous bowling and good batting'.

He added that the pitch was an excellent one, and that prompted his decision to bat first.

'The team is better batting first and I believe in my bowling so that is why we went that way.'

Both captains are predicting wins in Trinidad with Adams saying 'it's crunch time' and a fightback will be coming.