Calcutta: The 32-year-old Parvinder Singh, playing for the first time against a foreign team in the practice match between the West Indies and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association XI here, was satisfied with his unbeaten 78 at the end of Day II.

“It was not easy to score here. The West Indians bowl with aggression and passion and they can build up pressure,” he said. “I have never played at this level and am happy to be among runs now.”

Asked if the bowlers of this West Indian team match up to their fierce predecessors, he said: “This is the first time I am facing them, so I really can’t comment on that. But the ball was reversing after about 35 overs and it did make things a little difficult.

“Tino Best bowled very well. The wicket has no turn for the spinners, but there is help for seamers. Sheldon Cottrell was very quick and difficult to play.”

Parvinder added that both teams were taking this match seriously. “We have specific plans per session and we hope to match that,” he said.

West Indies’ Veerasammy Permaul found the track at the Jadavpur University Campus ground flat compared to the grounds he had played at during his visit to India with the Windies A team last month.

“The pitch was flatter than what we had when I visited last month with the West Indies A Team. Here in India, you have to be much more patient and bowl more consistent lines and lengths, allowing the batsmen to make the mistake.”