ABU DHABI, Nov 26: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Saturday hoped his team continued their winning streak during the tour of Bangladesh starting next week, after whitewashing Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the one-off Twenty20 International on Friday, capping a successful tour in which they also won the three-Test series 1-0 and five-match one-day series 4-1.

Pakistan play a Twenty20 International against Bangladesh on Tuesday. They also play three one-day and two Tests on the tour.

Misbah said his team is determined to continue the good form.

“I hope my team shows more improvement and consistency on the tour of Bangladesh which like any other tour is not easy,” said 37-year-old Misbah, who has not lost a Test series since taking over in October last year.

Misbah has lost only one of 10 one-day matches since replacing Shahid Afridi as limited overs captain in June this year.

Misbah said his team will not take Bangladesh lightly.

“The morale and confidence of the team is very high after beating a team like Sri Lanka, but despite that we are not going to take Bangladesh lightly as they are a tough team in their home conditions,” said Misbah.

Misbah said the team was very united in the wake of spot-fixing scandal which ended in jail sentences for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir.

“The situation under which Pakistan cricket went through in the last year has bind the team very well and as required all the players showed unity and discipline which is a very good sign,” said Misbah.

“Discipline and focus on and off the field was very important and that’s what we have shown after some problems hit us hard, but I am confident that this bunch of players will continue in that spirit,” said Misbah.

Sri Lanka had contrasting fortunes during the tour, but skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan hoped fans back home would show patience.

“I know like us every cricket fan in Sri Lanka would be disappointed,” said Dilshan, who has lost three Tests and as many one-day series since taking over in May this year.

Dilshan said all the players tried their best.

“I hope fans believe in us and give us more time because we tried our level best. There were times when we were in strong positions but we didn’t capitalise on them and lost track,” said Dilshan.

Pakistan, chasing 142, were steered to victory by Misbah who kept his nerves with a fighting unbeaten 48 to help his team chase down the target with three balls to spare.

Misbah, who hit three boundaries and a six off 38 balls, added 46 for the fourth wicket with Asad Shafiq (33) after Pakistan lost their way in pursuit of the target.

They lost Mohammad Hafeez (13), Imran Farhat (13) and Umar Akmal for a first ball duck.

Asad hit three boundaries during his run-a-ball knock before he was bowled by Lasith Malinga.

Misbah hit Dilruwan Perera for a huge six and when 43 needed off the last four overs, the Pakistani captain hit three boundaries in Dilhara Fernando’s 17th over of the innings.

When Pakistan needed 23 off the last two overs Afridi hit Fernando for two sixes over deep mid-wicket before the paceman had him caught behind.

Pakistan needed nine off the last over bowled by Malinga whose first ball saw two taken by Misbah but the ensuing throw went for four before Shoaib Malik knocked off the winning runs.—AFP