November 18, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 07, 1428

JAIPUR, Nov 17: It maybe too late to influence the outcome of the ODI series, but Pakistan middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said they are desperate to win the fifth and final ODI on Sunday to salvage some of the lost pride and go into the Test series with confidence.

”Well, we have lost the series but we want to win the final ODI so that we go into the Test series with a positive attitude,” Misbah told reporters on Saturday.

Since the defeat against India in the Twenty20 World Cup final, Pakistan have lost the home series against South Africa and the ongoing ODI series against India. Though Misbah admitted that the morale was not exactly high in the dressing room, he said the motivation was to win and go into the Test series in a positive frame of mind. “Losing two-three definitely has a psychological effect on the players’ mind and the pressure goes up. Only win can lift the morale in such a situation. Anyway, cricket moves on and that’s why we want to win the last match tomorrow and then try to make amends in the Test series,” he said.

Since the Twenty20 World Cup final, Misbah has been getting the starts but could not finish the game on several occasions and the batsman said he was aware of it. “I’m batting at number six and getting 10-15 overs. I know I got the starts but could not convert the 30s and 40s into 60s and 70s. I’m trying to sort it out and get better with every match but success continues to elude me.”

Misbah also urged fans not to expect him to match the standard of Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“It’s unfair to compare me with him. He has batted up in the order, while I come at number six,” he said.

Though some believe this is perhaps the weakest Pakistani side to have arrived in India, Misbah did not see a gulf of difference between the sides. “They (India) are leading 3-1 but I don’t think there is great deal of difference in the standard of the two teams. It’s only the last match that they easily won, other ties were close.”—Agencies