We can break the Herath code: Misbah

Pakistan Test captain says spin will all the difference when Pakistan face Sri Lanka in Galle for the first Test


Sports Desk June 16, 2015
Misbah is positive that leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar will be able to bear the responsibility. PHOTO: FILE/AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq admits that Pakistan have been tormented by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath in the past but he is optimistic that they would be able to break his spell if they apply themselves properly.

"We have an answer for Herath this time as everybody is working hard on how to defend him," Misbah told ESPNcricinfo.

"In the past we really played him well except in the last series in Sri Lanka…sometimes bowler takes the edge, or sometimes batsman. But we are looking on a plan on how to handle him and how we should apply ourselves against him. We only struggled because he got a good hold of the conditions and it's important for us to play him well to get a better result. The more we play him well, more we have a chance to do better against them."

Pakistan last bagged a series against the Islanders in 2006 and since then they haven’t been able to wither the Lankan storm with five losses and three draws.

"It's always tough for any team to win here as the spin is the only difference," Misbah said.

"Earlier they had [Muttiah] Muralitharan, their leading wicket-taker, who did wonders for them and now Herath. So the spin bowling is the main reason we have been struggling. It's very important for us to deal [well] with spin on this tour to make the best result. Taking 20 wickets here is also one concern for us and we are working in this area to do something different this time."

Pakistan were undone by Herath in Galle in last year when he accounted for six batsmen on the fifth day of the Test to give Sri Lanka a 99-run target to chase resulting in a comprehensive loss.

"Last time we played very well, especially in the first innings and somewhere in the middle we thought the game was over but it was a big mistake to think that way," Misbah recalled.

"It was a message for us not to lose concentration as in Test cricket one good innings can change everything and if you really want to win against Sri Lanka, you can't afford to give many chances to them and just try to be there all the time."

Pakistan will miss their ace off-spinner Saeed Ajmal on the tour but Misbah is positive that leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar will be able to bear the responsibility with equal potency.

"Number [of matches or wickets] might not be good but whatever they have played so far they have done well," Misbah said about Yasir and Zulfiqar.

"Of course this time they are going to play against an opponent who is good in playing spin and this is going to be a test for them as well. But this is again an opportunity for them to get them established and I am hopeful the way they are bowling at the moment they are definitely going to do well.

"Our ultimate goal is to win and improve our performances and I have best players with me to achieve the target."

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