We were going for a win: Misbah
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DUBAI: New Zealand and Pakistan captains Brendon McCullum and Misbah-ul-Haq hailed the rivetting Test between their countries which ended in an exciting draw Friday.
Pakistan, set to chase 261 in a possible 72 overs, finished 65 runs short at 196-5. Both teams could have won though and Misbah was a little disapointed with the result.
“We could say we could have done a little better in this game but we missed a few chances in the first innings that really made a big difference in the whole game but it was an exciting game.”
The Pakistan captain said his team had planned to chase the target.
“We wanted to bat the first 40 overs in a normal manner and then step up in the final 20-22 overs but we lost three quick wickets and that made the target tough,” said Misbah, who fell for nought.
The result maintained Pakistan's 1-0 lead in the three-match series after their 248-run win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
The tense finish was made possible by McCullum's declaration at 250-9 following a brilliant return-to-form 104 by man-of-the-match Ross Taylor.
“I thought it was pretty fair declaration and I think there was enough there for the batting team to stay interested and there was enough time for us to get ten wickets on a weary track,” said McCullum.
“From our point of view we want to win Test matches so I thought it was a brilliant Test match, no loser or winner but it's a real good advert for Test cricket.”
McCullum praised Taylor's stubborn batting.
“Ross's innings was brillinat,” said McCullum of Taylor's 12th Test hundred.
“I think as the game was teetering away and for him to come out, lean on runs as well in the series, to be able to come out with so much confidence and that put some pressure back on Pakistan.
“It was great to see him score a hundred and get us to a position where we can have a bold declaration.”
The New Zealand skipper also praised his young team.
“From our point of view that this young team is prepared to play aggressive cricket and try to get some wins in the columns, the wins you remember the most, but we remember a lot of stuff from this Test,” said the New Zealand captain.
McCullum said winning the toss had been crucial.
“The way and the confidence Pakistan had after winning the toss (in the first Test) batting up first and rack up big total and then bring up their spinners was, I guess, the blue print over the last couple of series.”
He added: “To be able to win the toss here and put up a total of 400 in these conditions away from home was pivotal moment for us and allowed us to always be in the contest.”
New Zealand posted a 403-run total and then got Pakistan out for 393 in the first innings.
The third and final Test starts in Sharjah from November 26.
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On DawnNews
Comments (42) Closed
Nov 22, 2014 03:58pm
Yes i think pak did well. Even when asad and sarfraz were batting, target looked getable but pak had lost too many wickets. And pak's tail is worst among top test playing nations. Rahat did supported sarfraz but we cant be confident about last 4. NZ bowlers scored 94 runs on their own in 1st innings. No10 was top scorer in 2nd innings of 1st test.
After losing 3 wickets for 5 runs, there was no chance of them winning. Infact i am sure 90% of fans would have thought that they gonna lose this one at 75/4.
Issue was not many runs by 2 new openers playing after long gap.
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Nov 22, 2014 04:08pm
The black caps are more fighting spirited than the Kangaroos. In fact, misbahul haq's winning streak has been stopped and his last innings came back to zero again. The coming world cup being played in Australia/New zealand will see the black caps in different form, I mean almost unplayable. Misbah must forget our Dubai desert and think of what is in store
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Nov 22, 2014 04:11pm
A decent display of courage, bold decision and some exciting cricket. New Zealand looked much improved, on the other Pakistan overall good but at points below her recent form. Third test is surely going to be interesting, as New Zealand will aim to square the series while Pakistan will be tempted either to draw or seek possible win. I have a felling New Zealand will be thinking positively and aggressively t, while Pakistan may appear lit bit negative if they carry to the ground-thinking to draw. Good Luck team Pakistan.
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Nov 22, 2014 04:29pm
"We were going for a win".... Then we woke up !
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Nov 22, 2014 04:30pm
Once again, Misbah's passive approach won and Pakistan lost an opportunity to win!
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Nov 22, 2014 04:43pm
I would have either opened with Sarfraz or sent him one down. Let the Kiwis know that we mean business. Keep Younus, Misbah and Shafiq in the lower order for a draw. Having said that, Saving this match, on that turner, is as good as a win.Well played team Misbah.
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Nov 22, 2014 04:59pm
Pakistan couldn't achieve this chase-able total because the replacement openers failed to make themselves count in this game. definitely time for our selectors to look beyond the likes of Taufeeq umer.
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Nov 22, 2014 05:10pm
Misbah, at no point it appeared that Pakistan was ever going for a victory. With light conditions always at your mercy and in your favor, you could have tried till the last man........80 odd runs in the last 9 overs with 5 wickets and the possibility to call in bad light in case things didn't go your way was always an easy target especially when you had your best batsman of the season (Sarfaraz) at the crease.
It is the same sad, pathetic case with your captaincy Misbah, you may be able to score the fastest hundred but only when there's already a 300+ lead on the board! Your negative approach in the last 15 overs was the factor because of which we were unable to win the match!
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Nov 22, 2014 05:25pm
Pakistan team may be economically poor when it compared to Indian counter parts but I believe they are more talented in general than Indian team. I think Pak team has natural raw talent. It is sad to know whole Pakistani team income (including all sponsorships and ad contracts) is less than 5% of one top Indian player's income. there is no justice in the world!
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Nov 22, 2014 05:26pm
Pakistan really missed Ahmad Shahzad and recently returned to form Hafeez who by the way is always a handy bowler to have.... and the few drop catches in the first innings change the complexion of the game!! even if Pakistan had held on to those catches i strongly believe Pakistan could easily have won this
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Nov 22, 2014 05:37pm
Team on mission. Raw and natural talent, one of the best teams in the world.
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Nov 22, 2014 05:47pm
@Ashar Maybe you should be captain of Pakistan. Talking is very easy, but being in the middle is what matters.
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Nov 22, 2014 06:18pm
@Sabir Ayub Rabbani Well said! These so-called experts, who have never progressed beyond club cricket, would have been the first to spout venom at Misbah if Pakistan had lost.
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Nov 22, 2014 06:31pm
@Ashar may b u dont knw but Pakistan has the worst tail of all test playing nations...may b u dont know but its the umpires who decide abt bad or good light not the batsmen anymore ... so easier to talk ... if u hav problems with misbah, step up and replace him with ur real sharp mind !!!!!
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Nov 22, 2014 06:48pm
Fifth day pitch, even hawk eye suggesting an off break turn, Sodhi turning ball in miles and not in degrees. Those who watched the match should be proud of team having saved the match. New Zealand should be really disappointed with her spinners as they failed to deliver when it mattered most. Pakistan closed the shop when they lost 3 in 70s. After Sarfraz there were 4 authentic number 11 batsmen who were number 8,9,10 and 11 just because of rules. Agree totally with Pakistani approach which changed when Hawk eye gave a racist verdict.
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Nov 22, 2014 06:51pm
@Ashar I think your analysis is excellent and fair criticism of Mishbah. Misbah has finally proved the theory that winning the toss is the most crucial factor. The bold declaration of NZ was excellent and challenging to which Mishbah came short. Earlier, in the three tests, Misbah was afraid of declaring follow-on as he wanted to have as many scores as possible. I personally think that NZ's team had great talent. The perennially smiling Yasir Shah should be the hero again. Misbah, as usual, goes back to hybernation after winning some laurel--no consistency.
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Nov 22, 2014 07:11pm
Mr. Misbah you are wrong, it doesn't count what your intentions were before the start of our batting inning but rather what you did during the course of the innings . You have proved that you are too defensive in your approach even when you are not under pressure. Even when you had won 3 test matches on the trot, you were one up in the series and the match wasn't a deciding encounter, you failed to show courage. I do not blame you for not trying when we suddenly lost of 3 wickets in a cluster to become 75/4 but you should have promoted Sarfraz to bat when Azhar Ali's wicket fell. I literaly screamed at you when you didn't do that. Sarfraz is in form of his life and has not been out under score of 50 for ten consective innings and should have been promoted to no. 4. Had you done that, you had yourself, Younis and Asad to save the match if things didn't go your way. Secondly again we were coward when there were 10 overs of the innings remaining with 5 wickets in hand with an asking rate of 9 per over. You even don't trust in your 5 batsmen, including two in form batsmen to play 10 overs Misbah?
Said all this, I do respect you as batsman and as a captain who commands calmness and ability to unite the team.
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Nov 22, 2014 07:15pm
Improvisation was needed. WK should have been promoted for quick runs. If there were quick runs early on panic would have set in kiwis with defensive approach. Then middle/lower order could have gotten home. Anyhow all fruitless now, tide has passed. Focus on next match.
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Nov 22, 2014 07:20pm
@Dr Carla Well its because your Commercial market is too big compare to us. Dear
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Nov 22, 2014 07:21pm
my foot...
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Nov 22, 2014 07:26pm
Misbah one thing will stand between you and the great captains of the game, courage. Any courageous captain had promoted Sarfraz to no. 4 and probabely won the match. Its when we were 70/2. Had you done that, you had 7 batsmen including Shan Masood, yourself, younis and Asad to play out 45 overs if things went wrong. Misbah, if you can't go for a win with a target of 260 with asking rate of 3,4 and with an in form batting line then something must be very wrong with your approach. There was no pressure on you sir, as you had white washed Australia and were one up against New Zealand in the series with the decider yet to be played.
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Nov 22, 2014 07:30pm
Wish Misbah had a heart and courage of McCullum.
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Nov 22, 2014 08:12pm
Why is NZ Captain Brendon talking about declaration ,I believe if he had waited for next over ,Zulfiqar would have got his 5 wicket too,Rest was Ross Taylor given Man of the Match for scoring 104 or coming back in form? I think Sarfraz scored 112 and 24 more than Ross Taylor which was crucial for bringing back Pakistan in match.What can you expect when Rameez Raza is in commentary box he is all for NZ .He forgot Pakistan was playing with 2 batsman short in Opening pair.
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Nov 22, 2014 08:41pm
Pathetically passive mindset as a captain.
Any other captain in such a scenario would have thought.....
The best chance to win is by starting aggressive and putting pressure back on opposition. So send in power hitters at top of batting lineup. Press for a win in first 20 overs. If all goes well then fine.... else you have the so called 'technique' batsmen to play out for a draw.
But misbahs thinking turned out to be exactly opp..... shows lack of self belief and courage to take on challenges.
No hopes at world cup with such leadership.
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Nov 22, 2014 10:39pm
MIsbah, your strategy of keeping the same batting order does not match with your post match statement. People know enough cricket and figure this out. Brendon McCullum played a lot more positive cricket then you with all your experience. Failure is an option but fear is not. Your approach was full of fear and that was very obvious in your planning. Hats off to Brendon.
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Nov 22, 2014 10:45pm
I would give benefit of doubt to Misbah, even though the target was chaseable but we cannot go for gung-hu approach. However, a good think tank would have taken this opportunity to practice a real ODI match scenario and planned the chase accordingly. I thought Asad and Sarfaraz saved us from an all too familiar collapses we have seen in the past. With such a tame tail no team would go all out for a win when you are 5 down and NZ only needed one wicket in first hour after tea to smell the blood
Overall, a fascinating match even though it was played on a flat track which deteriorated after 3 days.
I would not tinker too much for ODIs, My team for WC
Ahmed Shehzad
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Younis Khan/Misbah
Asad Shafiq
Fawad Alam
Umar Akmal
Muhamamd Hafeez
Shahid Afridi
Junaid Khan/Rahat
Wahab Riaz/Imran/Ehsan Adil/Anwar
M.Irfan
Subs:
Maqsood
Haris Sohail
Bhatti
Zulfiqar
Yasir Shah
This assuming we miss out on Saeed
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Nov 22, 2014 10:46pm
Misbah and Team Management: Did it not come in your mind that the very last session of 70 over came as a great opportunity to practice for the World cup? It was the best situation to have led the team with a mind set to approach the game as a ODI. Why did this not come to your mind? Do you not play International Cricket and have the leadership skills? There is a difference between and leader and a manager and your failed to show the leadership skills when it was needed. The timing was perfect - you had 70 over and 250 plus target. You could not have asked for a better rain dance situation - as they say that Timing has got everything to do with the outcome of a rain dance but you missed the great opportunity. Never let your decisions ruled by fear.
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Nov 22, 2014 10:53pm
@Dr Carla hahah. heard raw natural honey ...but never heard raw natural talent ...why bring money in the equation. Kenyans are not very rich but they excel.. Jamaican bob sled team..Hashim Khan was not very rich ...it take a heart and character to be a world champion..what kind of fake doctor are you? What happened to you power of observation?
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Nov 23, 2014 12:33am
I am not buying this, knowing Misbah's conservative approach. Never in their innings they look like going for a win.
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Nov 23, 2014 03:01am
@Dr Carla - No need for you to feel "sad" about our players' lower income than yours'. They are content!
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Nov 23, 2014 04:49am
I don't really understand why some of the comments are so negative. Pakistan drew the second test and are up 1-0 for the series. Misbah is one of the best captains Pakistan will ever have. He has proved himself over and over again. Please praise him instead of being so critical and negative. Now if we had lost the test being very aggressive then we would have been 1-1 in the test series. We are still up 1-0 so everyone please relax.
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Nov 23, 2014 08:26am
Taufeeq Umar not only got out early in both innings but also dropped one important catch.
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Nov 23, 2014 09:50am
We are going to win....this is the start of your loosing.
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Nov 23, 2014 10:24am
@Jack : "Now if we had lost the test ..."
If you are so scared of losing.... and if you don't believe in yourself that you can win... you better not play!
It wasn't an impossible task given to you. A win was a 50% chance at start of innings. If you can't back yourself to go for a 50% probability... are you fit for international cricket?
Also, had Pakistan won the match series would have been won. Now kiwis have a chance to level it.....
Why can't u think such?
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Nov 23, 2014 10:28am
Pakistan did well to save the game. Pakistan have been poor chasers historically. They have chased a target of 260 or over only 3-4 times in history, so this was expecting a bit too much on this turner. They are still one up, so no worries.
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Nov 23, 2014 10:55am
You keep sending Sarfaraz in the Lower Order because you miss you favorite Brother in Laws the AKMAL BROTHERS.
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Nov 23, 2014 11:58am
@Googlie Be realistic please. There was same Misbah when Pak beat Srilanka earlier this year. They got to 302 in about 56 overs on the 5th day so approach to win was always there in this match as well. Just the thing that each day is a different day. They lost quick wickets which compelled them save it first then go for the burst (if situation allows). And anyway its a good result. Full marks to NZ for their efforts. But Pakistan is still a better team and final test will reflect this fact.
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Nov 23, 2014 12:03pm
@Ashar I think you did not watch the amount of turn and fizz on the pitch, the ball was turning more than a meter my friend. Please realize Pakistan did not lose the match, it was a fair draw. And stop criticizing your heroes in every second match. I wonder what people like you would do if Pakistan loses one match. :-(
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Nov 23, 2014 12:04pm
@Jack Agreed. Thats what I think.
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Nov 23, 2014 08:06pm
@Bilal Cheema I cannot replace Misbah personally. But do you know the difference b/w winners and losers? I think not. Winner go out to win each and every match and are disappointed when they don't. And winners celebrate well earned defeats as well, learn from them and become even better!
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Nov 23, 2014 09:46pm
If Misbah wanted to win, then he should have asked the man in form Sarfaraz Ahmed to bat at no later than No. 4.
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Nov 24, 2014 03:29pm
Good Joke Misbah... :)
(you always have ready-made excuses... like ajmal, pitches, wickets etc.)
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