'Thanks for 2011 guys. Let's see more of that...'

PCB honours squad for 2011 show; Younus terms current crop the best.

LAHORE: Cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq was full of confidence his fast-rising team will have more success in 2012 after overcoming a spot-fixing scandal and remaining unbeaten last year.

"Through hard work of all the players we had a good 2011 and I hope that this team will have more success in the new year," Misbah said while addressing a reception in honour of his team in Lahore on Thursday night.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted the function to honour their team, which kept an unbeaten record though all Tests and one-day series in 2011 - a difficult period for the side in the wake of a spot-fixing scandal.

Misbah took over as Test captain in September 2010 and led Pakistan to draws in the series against South Africa and the West Indies, and notched wins over New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"I think this success was due to the fact that all 15 players in the squad fulfilled their responsibilities and I am sure they will carry on the good work in the new year," said Misbah.

Pakistan now face a tough opponent in England, who rose to world number one in Test rankings last year. They will play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s in United Arab Emirates.

The first Test starts in Dubai from January 17.

"I am sure the boys will do the same hard work, show responsibility and play to their potential against England who are the best Test team at the moment," said Misbah. "We know how tough it is going to be, so we are ready for that."

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf praised the team and announced a cash award of 300,000 rupees ($3,300) for each of the 15 players and 100,000 rupees ($1,100) for the support staff.

 

Updated from Print Edition (below):

Just days before the highly awaited Test series between Pakistan and England kicks off, a reception in honour of the team's unprecedented show in 2011 was organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with high hopes of the team emulating the heights it reached last year.

The squad walked in holding trophies it had won last year but Younus Khan's glorified praise for each member of the squad, and a Rs300,000 bonus from the PCB to every player, remained the highlight of the evening.

"I'd like to thank the chairman for this event as nothing of this sort has ever been organised since I've started playing," said Younus. "Credit for on-field success, however, goes to every member of the squad. I've played cricket at home, away, and played county cricket, but I've never seen a team like this. Each and every member of the squad wants to perform for the team and wants to contribute as much as he can for the country."

Pakistan's success in 2011 was all the more surprising given the spot-fixing scandal and losing important member of the squad. Younus, however, praised the back-up who were able to fill in the gap quickly and effectively, giving Pakistan the support it needed.

"Pakistan has always produced world-class players. When Mohammad Amir went, there was a huge gap since he was a world-class player. But the way Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz filled the void is just tremendous. Umar Gul continues to lead the attack despite injuries and the way Misbahul Haq has lead the team, I haven't seen anything like that."

Ajmal's teesra keenly awaited

Meanwhile, Saeed Ajmal, who topped the Test wicket-takers' tally last year, is well aware of the role he needs to play in the UAE.

Ajmal will be pitted against England's strong batting line-up and the tour is termed battle of off-spin supremacy with his opposite number Graeme Swann also in the fray.

"I know my role in the team and know that I'm trusted to perform," said Ajmal, after the team's training camp yesterday. "I've worked on the new delivery – the teesra – and will be giving it a try in the series. However, if it fails to be effective, I'll go back to my strengths since the focus is to win the series for Pakistan."

With a lot of focus on both side's bowling attacks, Test batsman Azhar Ali is keen to carry on scoring for Pakistan, taking confidence from the fact that the 'hosts' are used to the pitches and the conditions.

"I know the importance of my number-three position and will continue to score runs," he said.

Pakistan lost the Test series against England 3-1 last year and also lost Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Amir immediately after it. However, the resurgence was witnessed in the series straight after – versus South Africa in the UAE – where Misbah was brought back into the squad and handed Test captaincy. The fortunes of the individual, and the team, have since then been reversed.

"When I took up captaincy, I felt the team was in the same crisis as I was earlier in my career," said Misbah. "What I learnt from life was to never give up. I applied that to the squad and it worked. For us, the drawn Test and the series against South Africa was the turning point. We've never looked back since then."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2012.