‘We won’t take Bangladesh lightly’
Pakistan captain Misbah rules out complacency, wants team to improve.
DUBAI:
Rating Bangladesh as tough opponents at home, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has urged his troops to put in more effort than they displayed in their series against Sri Lanka.
After getting the better of Sri Lanka in all three formats, the national team left for Dhaka from Dubai on Friday. The tour sees the two teams play three ODIs, two Tests and a one-off Twenty20.
Misbah said that he wanted the team to continue improving all aspects of their game in the upcoming assignment.
“We need to stay focused against Bangladesh,” said the captain ahead of the team’s departure. “They’re one of those teams that are very tough to beat at home. We’ll have to put in a lot of hard work during the tour.”
The captain stressed that he will not allow any complacency to creep in despite Bangladesh’s recent run of poor form.
“If you want to become a top team you don’t worry about your opponents’ form. You concentrate on your own performance on a match-to-match basis.”
Ajmal praised
Misbah also had special praise for Saeed Ajmal, who recently climbed to the top of the ODI bowlers’ rankings.
“I used to play domestic cricket with him and even at that time I had the belief that he can do very well for Pakistan in the future,” said Misbah.
Misbah said the team was united in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal which ended in jail sentences for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
“The crisis which Pakistan cricket went through in the last year has binded the team very well. All the players showed immense unity and discipline which is a very good sign.
“Discipline and focus on and off the field is very important and that is what we have shown after all the problems that hit us hard last year, and I am confident that this bunch of players will continue in that spirit.”
Misbah admitted that Pakistan will miss experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and Junaid Khan, who were ruled out of the tour through injuries.
“Both are valuable cricketers and we will miss them.”
However, he was confident that the team’s performance will not be affected by their absence.
Mohsin wants Khalil, Talha to shine
Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan hoped fast-bowlers Mohammad Khalil and Mohammad Talha, who were named as replacement for Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz will avail the opportunity they have been provided with.
“The two bowlers are doing well in the domestic circuit,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “They’re very promising and I’m hoping that they’ll do well in the series. In fact, the whole team needs to be consistent and we’re in no mood to show complacency. Bangladesh are very strong at home and we’re not going to take them lightly.”
Bangladesh v Pakistan
Twenty20 Nov 29
1st ODI Dec 1
2nd ODI Dec 3
3rd ODI Dec 6
1st Test Dec 9-13
2nd Test Dec 17-21
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2011.
Rating Bangladesh as tough opponents at home, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has urged his troops to put in more effort than they displayed in their series against Sri Lanka.
After getting the better of Sri Lanka in all three formats, the national team left for Dhaka from Dubai on Friday. The tour sees the two teams play three ODIs, two Tests and a one-off Twenty20.
Misbah said that he wanted the team to continue improving all aspects of their game in the upcoming assignment.
“We need to stay focused against Bangladesh,” said the captain ahead of the team’s departure. “They’re one of those teams that are very tough to beat at home. We’ll have to put in a lot of hard work during the tour.”
The captain stressed that he will not allow any complacency to creep in despite Bangladesh’s recent run of poor form.
“If you want to become a top team you don’t worry about your opponents’ form. You concentrate on your own performance on a match-to-match basis.”
Ajmal praised
Misbah also had special praise for Saeed Ajmal, who recently climbed to the top of the ODI bowlers’ rankings.
“I used to play domestic cricket with him and even at that time I had the belief that he can do very well for Pakistan in the future,” said Misbah.
Misbah said the team was united in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal which ended in jail sentences for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
“The crisis which Pakistan cricket went through in the last year has binded the team very well. All the players showed immense unity and discipline which is a very good sign.
“Discipline and focus on and off the field is very important and that is what we have shown after all the problems that hit us hard last year, and I am confident that this bunch of players will continue in that spirit.”
Misbah admitted that Pakistan will miss experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and Junaid Khan, who were ruled out of the tour through injuries.
“Both are valuable cricketers and we will miss them.”
However, he was confident that the team’s performance will not be affected by their absence.
Mohsin wants Khalil, Talha to shine
Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan hoped fast-bowlers Mohammad Khalil and Mohammad Talha, who were named as replacement for Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz will avail the opportunity they have been provided with.
“The two bowlers are doing well in the domestic circuit,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “They’re very promising and I’m hoping that they’ll do well in the series. In fact, the whole team needs to be consistent and we’re in no mood to show complacency. Bangladesh are very strong at home and we’re not going to take them lightly.”
Bangladesh v Pakistan
Twenty20 Nov 29
1st ODI Dec 1
2nd ODI Dec 3
3rd ODI Dec 6
1st Test Dec 9-13
2nd Test Dec 17-21
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2011.