Carlos Brathwaite riding crest of West Indies wave but still has respect for the game

Ahead of the series against Pakistan in the UAE, Carlos Brathwaite has promised to remain humble despite his remarkable rise to fame and fortune this year. Paul Radley reports from Dubai.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, left, and West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite pose for a photograph during a press conference at Dubai Cricket Stadium on September 22, 2016 in Dubai,. Francois Nel /Show more

DUBAI // Carlos Brathwaite has promised to remain humble despite his remarkable rise to fame and fortune this year.

At the turn of 2015, the towering Barbadian was a little-heralded all-rounder trying to make a name for himself in international cricket.

Since then he has won the World Twenty20 in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, landed a lucrative Indian Premier League contract, and assumed the West Indies T20 captaincy.

See more on Pakistan v West Indies:

• Paul Radley: Pakistan's Wahab Riaz has picked himself up and is ready to dust West Indies down in Dubai

• Watch: Shoaib Malik says Pakistan out to prove short-format worth as well in West Indies series

• Watch: Imad Wasim on how Pakistan ready to shed 'inconsistent' label in UAE

• In pictures: Pakistan and West Indies in training in Dubai ahead of UAE series

• Shoaib Malik: 'Home' advantage in Dubai will give Pakistan extra edge against West Indies

Ahead of his first series in charge, starting against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on Friday, he says his feet are still on the ground.

He said that winning the World T20 in India “was my up,” and he still “respects” the game of cricket.

“A big down could be on its way around the corner, I don’t know. So for me, it’s about staying humble, respecting the game of cricket, respecting the process, also respecting my teammates.

“If I go out partying, am not fully-fit, and take all these things for granted, and then come and give 80 per cent when the other guys are putting in the extra work, that is disrespect for my teammates as well.

“So, for me, both as a cricketer and as a person, it is about respecting the game, respecting life, respecting ups and downs and just staying humble.”

Having the world champions in town is unlikely to offset the absence of Dubai’s crowd-favourite Shahid Afridi.

But Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan’s captain, says his side have some young players worth believing in.

“We had some star players, like Shahid Afridi,” Sarfraz said. “We will definitely miss him but we have some new players who have come in. And we have confidence in them that they will perform and do well.”

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