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LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket captain, Misbah ul Haq anticipates a tough opposition from Sri Lanka side when the two teams clash in different versions of the game at off shore venue of United Arab Emirates.
“We will be playing, test matches, one day games and a T20 match and I expect a close fight from Sri Lanka which at the moment is one the finest cricket team in the world,” he said here on Thursday on the last day of the Pakistan team’s training camp for the tour of UAE from October 15.
Misbah termed both teams balanced in all departments of the game, not agreeing to the point that in the absence of master spinner, Muttiah Murildharan the bowling attack of the lankan side will be weaken.
“His inclusion could have boosted the prospects of Lankan side but even in his absence their bowling is too good,” he said.
Pakistan captain sounded confident when asked about his team's chances in the tour which include three test, five one day internationals and a T-20 match.
“I have told the boys not to take the opposition lightly and demonstrate a better brand of quality cricket to achieve set goals on the tour,” he said.
“The aim of our short duration training camp was to assemble players at one platform to create better understanding and harmony ahead of a challenging task and it was a good experience to have a three-day conditioning camp under the supervision of stalwarts of the game,” he said.
Misbah showered praise on Pakistan pace battery, terming it a bowling attack which has the potential to excel at any cricket ground across the world.
“Umer Gul has performed to a good standard in the past and we expect a lot from Wahab Riaz and other bowlers including Aizaz Cheema and spinner Saeed Ajmal,” he said.
He said dependency on a particular player can ruin teams chances and every player has a define role in the team which can give a good performance provided its all members justify in their respective roles.
“I think every player needs to have a positive approach to play some good cricket in the field and I expect a lot from my side which has young blood which is grooming,” he added.
To a question, Misbah said he believes that wickets in UAE will equally suit both the sides and on good supporting wickets thrilling cricket can be produced.
He said sadly Pakistan was deprived of staging international cricket owing to security concern expressed by foreign teams and in the present circumstances Pakistan team is playing its home series at neutral venues and despite that adverse aspect its performance is quite encouraging.
“Playing in your own backyard gives you a altogether different feeling and playing at one after another venue requires lot of effort to adjust with the playing conditions but professionalism demands that players should adjust with the condition no matter where they are playing,” he maintained.
He said the interim coach Mohsin Khan is rich in cricket experience and has helped a lot to guide the players during the camp while Pakistani bowlers also improved a lot during past one year under supervision of coaches, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed.
