Sri Lanka series: ‘Draw is not part of our plans’

Team manager says Pakistan will go all-out for win in final Test.

KARACHI: Although a draw in the third Test in Sharjah will be enough for Pakistan to secure a series triumph against Sri Lanka, the players will not adopt a defensive approach and will go all out for a win in the final match, according to team manager Naushad Ali.

Pakistan crushed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the second Test to take a 1-0 lead with a draw in the final match of the rubber, scheduled to start on November 3, enough to ensure their unbeaten run in Tests this year.

However, the team manager said the players were full of confidence and were looking forward to continuing the winning momentum.

“Drawing the match is not part of our plans,” Ali told The Express Tribune from Dubai. “We’ve planned to go with the same strategy in the Sharjah Test to achieve a 2-0 win in the series.”

Commenting on the convincing victory in the second Test, the manager said both senior and junior players made vital contributions to the win.

“It’s very encouraging to see all the players giving a good performance. All the batsmen and bowlers have shown their worth so far.”

‘Misbah is a wise captain’

Ali was all praise for Misbahul Haq’s leadership qualities.

“Misbah is a wise captain and his best quality is that he is calm under pressure,” he said. “He’s the key and as a batsman also he’s in great form since being made captain.”

Ali said a series win is crucial if Pakistan want to climb up the Test rankings.

“If we beat Sri Lanka in the series then our current sixth ranking will improve to fifth and that’ll also lift the players before the all-important series against the world number one Test team England.”

‘Teamwork behind success’

Meanwhile, former captain Zaheer Abbas praised Pakistan’s emphatic victory against Sri Lanka and credited the success to teamwork.

“It was a team effort,” said the former captain. “It’s very good to see that all the players are contributing. Sri Lanka have a better Test ranking than Pakistan, which makes the victory encouraging.”

Another former captain Rashid Latif felt the win will help the side in the remaining matches against Sri Lanka.

“It was a commendable victory which will help the team in the final Test, as well as the limited-overs series,” he said.

“Pakistan deserved to win because they dominated all the sessions. The side has performed well in both bowling and batting departments.”

Misbah, Dilshan back DRS

Meanwhile, rival captains Tillekaratne Dilshan and Misbah have called for the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in all international matches. Misbah said he had always supported use  of the DRS. “I’ve always been in favour of it,” said Misbah. “It should be there in all international matches.”  (with additional input from AFP)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st,  2011.