Lack of Tests not a worry for Misbah ahead of SL series

Published July 26, 2014
Pakistan last played a Test in January. -File photoa
Pakistan last played a Test in January. -File photoa

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said on Friday spin would be a key factor in his side's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka as he looked to Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman to beat the islanders.

The last time the two teams met was in January at the neutral venue of Dubai with Pakistan edging the one-dayers 3-2 but tying the Tests one apiece.

Pakistan fly out to Sri Lanka on August 2 and start the first Test at Galle four days later.

"In Sri Lanka spin plays an important role... on third, fourth and fifth days spin has a major role, I think if we play to our potential we have lots of chances to win," Haq said.

Pakistan's last tour of the island nation finished in a 1-0 defeat in two Tests and 3-1 in five one-day matches, with one match rained off.

Batting has been Pakistan's major worry over the past few years especially after the retirement of greats Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf.

But Haq, who has won 12 of the 27 Tests he has captained, said he was more confident than in the past thanks to the appointment of new batting coach Grant Flower of Zimbabwe.

"Whenever a coach comes in, he helps you out, he tries his best, but in the end you have to perform as a player as a batsman, as a batting unit we should be more responsible and should apply those things which he is giving in training," he said.

The two-Test three one-day series in Sri Lanka is the start of a busy period for Pakistan, who are set to host Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates from October to December.

Haq said the hectic schedule was ideal preparation for next year's World Cup.

"We are trying to play maximum international cricket so that's good that before World Cup we will be playing against Australia and it will benefit the team," he told reporters on the last day of a training camp.

Rusty Pakistan

Since Pakistan's last Test in January, the coaching staff has been overhauled, with Waqar Younis back as head coach.

The new coaches have been leading training for nine days at Lahore, where the players have been trying to reproduce match scenarios. That follows a month-long fitness training camp in May, when central contracts were handed out.

"There is some rustiness (in the players) and that's the reason we are playing some practice matches," Misbah said.

"We are trying to get maximum batting practice, and have been trying to tune ourselves for the last three days and simulate match scenarios.

"We are professionals, and we have to deal with whatever is coming our way ... and will be ready by the time the series starts."

Pakistan has not won a Test series since 2012 when England was beaten 3-0 in the United Arab Emirates.

Sri Lanka scheduled the first Test at Galle, where it lost to South Africa by 153 runs last week, but Misbah refused to read too much into the result. Sri Lanka was undone by South Africa's fast bowlers.

"Sri Lanka mostly plays its first Tests at Galle, it's their hunting ground," he said. "But the conditions suit us, it's a good opportunity for us, and there is a chance of a result there.

"They lost there against South Africa, so they will be under pressure, too, and there is a possibility of them bouncing back hard."

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...