We can beat you anywhere: Misbah told Cook

Pakistan captain says a fifth Test would have been wonderful for the four-match series

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq believes his team could have beaten hosts England at Old Trafford and Edgbaston too if there was a fifth Test in the series.

Pakistan and England were pitted against each other in a four-match series where the visitors started with a win at Lord's but lost the next two matches at Old Trafford and Edgbaston. Misbah and his men then made a comeback in fourth Test at The Oval to draw the series level 2-2.

The 42-year-old, however, believes there should have been a decider to crown a winner.

“In hindsight, a fifth Test would have been wonderful for the series,” wrote Misbah for cricket.com.au. “I even jokingly suggested to Alastair Cook that we play a decider, to which he said, 'You must be wanting it at Lord's or The Oval?', and my response was, 'No, we can beat you at Old Trafford and Edgbaston, too'.”

‘Gift for the people’

PHOTO: REUTERS

Misbah and co were down and out when they lost the Edgbaston Test after dominating the first two days of the match. However, with country’s Independence Day approaching, Misbah says he wanted the players to gift a victory to the people of Pakistan.

“Before the Oval Test I talked to the team,” Misbah recollected. “I told them August 14 was approaching and if we could win this match on the country's Independence Day it would be a huge gift for the people of Pakistan, who are so emotionally attached to cricket.”

Congratulations to whole nation and especially team Pakistan including everyone who is associated with the team in any capacity #No1TestTeam

— Misbah Ul Haq (@captainmisbahpk) August 23, 2016

He added: “I am glad that we fought well and made it a big occasion for the people of our country. The possibility of becoming the number one team for the first time also added to our energy.”

‘Number one spot in Tests is unbelievable’

PHOTO: REUTERS

The right-hand batsman was made captain of the Pakistan side in uncertain circumstances since the team had just faced a spot-fixing scandal and there was no cricket at home but his dramatic rise, Misbah believes, is as incredible as the Test team’s rise to number one spot.

“I started the journey as Pakistan captain in quite a dramatic fashion and the knowledge that today we are the number one team sounds very dramatic, too,” wrote Misbah.

We have done it but we need to do a lot more to maintain it. Tough tasks ahead. #No1TestTeam

— Misbah Ul Haq (@captainmisbahpk) August 23, 2016

“It is an unbelievable feeling to know that in six years we have reached the summit; a feeling of immense pleasure and satisfaction. The fighting spirit showed by this unit is unprecedented. In the past there have been instances when we have succumbed under pressure after heavy defeats but we have changed this trend now. The recent England series is a prime example,” he added.

‘Favourite memories’

PHOTO: AFP

Misbah has led Pakistan to many series victories but when asked to recount his favourite triumphs, he said: “For me the biggest series win in these six years for us was clean sweeping England 3-0 in the UAE in 2012. The series had a lot of hype and England were the number one team at that time. Winning that series 3-0 instilled a lot of belief in us and added a lot to our fighting spirits.”

He added: “When I talk about the fighting spirit I think of clinching victories from the jaws of defeat. To bowl out England for 72 and defend 144 in Abu Dhabi is a very memorable match. To chase 300 in two sessions on the fifth day against Sri Lanka in Sharjah was another special match and who would have thought we would chase 377 against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in the fourth innings?”