Misbah backs Pakistan to outshine England

Former captain believes Sarfraz Ahmed-led unit has potential to deliver positive results

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has backed Sarfraz Ahmed’s men to repeat 2016’s heroics when the visitors take on England in a two-Test series which commences from May 24 at Lord’s.

Misbah, who guided Pakistan to a 2-2 draw against the Three Lions two years ago, gave his backing to the current side to perform well but did warn them that conditions in England in early summer can prove to be a tough challenge.

“This Pakistan team has the potential [to beat England], but it's a young team and it's not going to be an easy series,” said Misbah. “The conditions they will encounter in the early stages of the season in England are not going to be easy, especially considering the home team has a very good bowling attack and an experienced one as well. It's a huge challenge for the visitors but I still believe in them."

Talking about the young batting line-up, Misbah put faith in left-hander Haris Sohail to deliver the goods for the Men in Green in the series.



“It has to be looked at as a big opportunity for all of the Pakistani batsmen,” he said. “Because if you can score runs in Test cricket in England at this stage of the season, then you can show that you not only have the potential, but you also have the ability to succeed in the tough world of Test cricket.”

He added: “I'm looking towards Haris Sohail especially as I believe he has the technique to do well in England and the way he plays he has all the skills to become a very good Test player. He has a very good technique against pace bowling and he leaves the ball well which is vital in England. I think he can become one of the main performers in the Pakistan Test team in the short term and also in the future."

The most notable changes in the team which produced the goods in 2016 will be the absence of Misbah himself and fellow veteran middle-order batsman Younus Khan, both of whom retired in 2017 after the West Indies series, and the 43-year-old believes Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and captain Sarfraz will have to fill the void.



"They have to; there is no other option,” he said. “Azhar [Ali], Sarfaraz [Ahmed] and Asad [Shafiq] need to lead this young team and lead the batting line-up. They are the most experienced players now and I have high hopes from all three players that they can be the players that the younger players can rely on to lead the way and provide guidance."

Talking about whether it’s a right move to promote Azhar, Misbah said: “Pakistan have to do this [send Azhar as an opener] because none of the other openers are performing consistently at the moment and Azhar has been tremendous from the moment he has been asked to open. He scored runs in England and also in Australia and other parts of the world and his overall record as an opener is very good and that's why the team management has pushed him up the order to open. He's been performing well consistently as an opener and if he goes in and gives the team a good start that should, in theory, make things easier for the rest of the batsmen further down the order."

Misbah who is Pakistan’s most successful captain in the five-day format, further went on to back current captain Sarfraz, and believes he is the right choice for the team.

"At the moment there is no other choice but I think people have a problem with his hyperactive behaviour at times, but that is just the nature of some people,” he said. “He will learn with experience and patience comes with experience. He's doing well, Pakistan are number one in the T20I format, they won the Champions Trophy last year which was a great achievement and in Test cricket once the younger players have gained more experience they will improve and climb up the rankings."