Dubai: Misbah-Ul Haq has put up a brave face in the light of his poor form and team’s poor run in the One-day series as he leads Pakistan into the first Test against Australia at the Dubai International Stadium.
“I am very confident that I will do better. I got six to seven days after the one-dayers and that gave me a chance to bat a lot in the nets for long time. I also got some throw downs so I am very confident.”
Misbah is also not scared over the fact that Australians are targeting him and Younis Khan. “We know that the teams are going to target us as we are senior players and important members. That’s how cricket and other games go,” he said.
Haq has also shaped up for the challenge putting on more weight. “I have added about two and a half kilos because we have five Tests coming up so that I can take that load by increasing weight.” Misbah is also drawing confidence from Pakistan A team’s victory over Australia in Sharjah. “The Pakistan A match against Australia has increased the confidence level of the main team. The way they played the four-day game has made us more focused and determined to improve our Test performance and stage a comeback through the Test series,” said Haq, who is not worried that his bowling attack is inexperienced.
“This is part and parcel of the international cricket. Whoever comes to the international scenes they start as inexperienced and this is how life is and you have to make your name. I think these spinners are pretty good to make their names at international scene and I am hopeful that they have the capability and they can prove themselves at this level,” he said.
Answering a query from Gulf News on his message to his players, Misbah said: “It’s very simple, especially in Test cricket where you need to stick to your basics on the field. It is not rocket science and if you can just keep to your basics right and put in your efforts behind them, then everyone can do well.”
Misbah does not believe that Australians’ poor record in the sub-continent can help his team. “Everybody knows that they have already proven that in the ODIs that they can be a really tough side. You cannot say that their record is poor and so we can just go through them. You have to really play well, fight hard otherwise they are a very tough side. To beat them you have to put in your best and give your hundred per cent and your performance should be right at the top too.”
Haq played down the criticism that his batsmen are now poor players of spin. “I think we have worked a lot on it. Everyone knows that spin will play a major part in this series, especially in Dubai. I believe that if you can play spin well, then you can score big.”
Haq believes that his players have the experience to tackle the challenge too. “Most of the guys have played Test matches. Everyone has got good practice and I think we have prepared well for this Test series and hence I am not worried,” he said.
