KARACHI: Advising Misbah-ul-Haq and his brigade to preserve the intensity they displayed in Dubai, former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal on Tuesday said Andrew Strauss’s England were competent enough to record a robust comeback in the ongoing series.
“England are capable and well equipped for a strong comeback. However, this largely depends on how they will face Saeed Ajmal in Abu Dhabi as he has left very bad scars on the opposition,” said Asif while speaking to Dawn from London.
“The major reason to me for England losing the first Test is their batsmen’s lack of respect shown to Pakistan team as a playing unit. If they acknowledge and address this aspect, then Pakistan will have a tough time defending the lead in the series.”
Asif, who played 58 Tests and 10 one-dayers between 1964 and 1980, advised Pakistan to remain positive and maintain the same momentum they exhibited in the first Test to claim the rubber in the second Test.
“Pakistani cricketers should play with the same intensity as they did in Dubai. It was not because of luck they won [in Dubai], they won because they played better cricket. And now as they know that the number one team is one down in the series, they should play with the belief that they are capable of winning the series,” he underlined.
Focus, he cautioned, was the key for Pakistan. “It is important for the team management to make sure the players remain focused. If they do, Pakistan can win the series.”
Noting England batsmen were too cocky in handling the Pakistan bowlers on a pretty normal track in Dubai, Asif praised captain Misbah and interim head coach Mohsin Khan for inculcating the culture of unity in the team.
Asif, 68, also appreciated the stance of Misbah and Mohsin for taking Pakistan to the current position in world cricket after the ugly spot-fixing saga of 2010.
“I think the calm influence of Misbah on the field and Mohsin off the field is a prime factor in Pakistan cruising smoothly out of the troubled waters they had been in,” he stated.
On whether Mohsin should be retained or Dav Whatmore be brought in as head coach if Pakistan beat England comprehensively in the Test series, Asif said: “I don’t think any coach has won a match, series or a tournament for any country. It is always the players who win the laurels and when you are talking of national team, all it needs is proper man management. And for that Mohsin, at least for present, fits in the role.”