DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — Following a disappointing performance in their just-concluded Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Afghanistan, stand-in West Indies Captain Brandon King has admitted that the regional team needs to make major improvements ahead of next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The West Indies were below par with both bat and ball, and their fielding was similarly lacklustre throughout the three-match series which Afghanistan won 2-1.

And while they produced a gutsy display in Thursday’s final T20I which they won by 15 runs, King said they had been well below their best in the series.

“The difference in this game was execution,” he said. “We had similar plans in the first two games but I think the guys did exceptionally well today. All the bowlers bowled brilliantly, and we really made it hard for them.

“I think we’re coming up with good plans — from a bowling point of view — it’s just execution. Obviously, our batting needs some work; [we’re] trying to not face as many dot balls throughout the innings to try and set up in the end better for the hitters.

“Obviously with our fielding we dropped a few catches this series that kind of hurt us in restricting them in the first two games, so there are areas all around to improve.”

Despite the series loss, King said it was still a good feeling to end the series with a win and avoid a clean sweep.

He said the return of some of their key players ahead of the World Cup will also help to boost the team.

“Obviously it’s great to end on a winning note even though we lost the series. I don’t think the first two games showed what we’re really capable of; I think this is closer to what we can do.

“…We have some other guys returning now after this series so it will only make us stronger,” King said.