LAHORE: Pakistan’s interim coach Mohsin Khan said on Monday that his boys will maintain the same aggressive stance in the final Test also that led them to a fine nine-wicket wicket over the strong Sri Lankans in Dubai last week.
“We will simply play positive cricket. We recorded a commanding victory in the second Test due to [our team’s] positive frame of mind. And now we will go into the third Test with the same attitude to confirm victory in the series,” Mohsin told Dawn from the UAE on Monday.
The third Test is scheduled to begin from Thursday in Sharjah which will witness Test cricket after almost nine years.
Pakistan seized a 1-0 lead in the series following their thumping nine-wicket triumph in the second Test in Dubai, after drawing the series-opening Test in Abu Dhabi from an almost winning position.
“After the first Test, which ended as a draw, many experts were not expecting us to stage a comeback, and many of them were of the opinion that Sri Lanka will bounce back with a vengeance. But we recovered, removing our shortcomings with a positive stance backed by aggression, to win the second Test in Dubai.
“And we will maintain the same approach in Sharjah,” Mohsin added.
The coach while acknowledging Sri Lanka’s status as an impressive team emphasised his charges had the guts to handle the opposition.
“Sri Lanka is a top side who will try to give tough fight in the third Test but our boys are capable to face them,” he stated.
About the state of the pitch in Sharjah, Mohsin said the team would have their first practice session at the venue on Tuesday and only then they would be in a position to predict about the nature of the track.
However, he added the reports coming out indicate it would be a batting-friendly strip.
Commenting on the reasons behind victory in the second Test, Mohsin said self-belief and proper implementation of a specific game-plan were the two major reasons, adding the role played by captain Misbah-ul-Haq with his personal performance had its own worth.
“From day one I have been focusing on making the boys mentally tough and thank God they are responding well. Potentially, we have a very good side and by overcoming the shortcomings concerning mental approach we are showing improved performances,” reckoned Mohsin.
“Implementing a game-plan is more demanding than making it. Misbah and I are making the game-plan while the captain is executing it very well. Therefore, all credit goes to Misbah and his entire team,” he said.
Asked to comment how he rates Test cricket’s top-ranked side England, Pakistan’s next major opponents in the UAE, Mohsin claimed on the current form and performance his team could beat any team of the world.
About the spin attack, the coach praised both Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman.
“Though Rehman could not take enough wickets [in the ongoing series] but the way he has contained the batsmen it has put additional pressure on Sri Lanka who are surrendering wickets to Saeed in desperation.
“So our spin combination is doing well,” Mohsin commented.
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