Misbah all praise for Shafiq’s ‘classiest innings’

Visitors are looking with renewed confidence in next matches of the series

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Pakistan are looking with renewed confidence to the remaining two Tests in the series after taking Australia to the brink at the Gabba, skipper Misbahul Haq said on Monday.

The Green Caps went down with all guns blazing by just 39 runs after chasing a world record 490 runs in the day-night first Test to raise their hopes of coming from behind to win their first-ever series in Australia.

Propelled by a magnificent 137 from middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq over five-and-a-half hours, the Australians were fearing the worst until claiming the last two wickets late in the first session on the final day.

Misbah, who became the country’s most successful captain in the five-day format, said the brave performance had fortified his team ahead of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), starting on Boxing Day.

"As a skipper, I am happy to see my team play like that," said Misbah. "The batsmen showed a lot of character in chasing 490 in the last innings after being bowled out for 142 in the first, which was wonderful and I think it has set the tone for the rest of the series.

"There were a lot of positives for us and now we are looking forward and are confident ahead of the next two matches."

Misbah, who struggled batting under lights in the night sessions with scores of four and five, reserved special praise for Shafiq's heroic innings.

"That is one of the classiest innings I have seen,” the 42-year-old added. “ In the context of the game, the way he handled the pressure playing with the tail, he made a match out of nothing.”

Pakistan yet again illustrated their mercurial ability to surprise after posting a miserable 142 to trail by 287 on the first innings.

"It is a totally different scenario when you start your innings with a new ball under lights," he said. "They got through us, but in the second innings we showed courage to survive the initial burst with the new ball.

"The mindset was positive. We wanted to score runs, everyone was determined, they showed character and it changed the whole scenario."

Misbah said current Pakistan team, who play all of their games away from their homeland amid security fears, were mentally tough after playing six years together.

"Playing away all the time from friends, family and everybody is difficult for any player and that can sometimes burn a player," he said. "But overall, this team is experienced enough now after playing together for six years and you could say it is a settled team.

"They are capable of playing in any conditions because they are mentally tough and they understand Test cricket."