UAE tour: With yet another desert-sweep in mind...

Misbah, Mohsin confident of an improved show against England.

KARACHI:

Pakistan arrived in the UAE yesterday, hoping for an improved show against England as compared to the poor performance the team displayed when the two sides met last.

The teams play three Tests, four One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20s on the UAE tour with Misbahul Haq and Mohsin Khan oozing confidence ahead of the duo’s toughest assignment to date.

Pakistan did not lose a Test or an ODI series in 2011 and this tour poses as the team’s biggest challenge against opponents ranked top of the world in Test cricket.

“I’m confident that the players will give their 100%,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune ahead of the team’s departure. “They are focused and want to repeat their winning performance that they showed in the recent series. England are the top side and we have to be on our toes to perform well against them.”

He said the team’s game plan will be important throughout the tour.

“The UAE conditions will suit us but they don’t guarantee us anything. We’ll have to use them to our advantage and perform to make it count. Our game plan and its implementation will be very important against England.”

Mohsin doesn’t want controversy

Meanwhile, the coach refused to share his feelings on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf’s comments, declaring him unfit for a permanent coaching job citing lack of qualification and experience.

“I have also heard about the statement,” Mohsin told reporters in Lahore. “I respect the chairman and I don’t want any controversy during the important series. I want to put all my focus on cricket and nothing else.”

Pakistan need to lift fielding standard: Misbah

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said the team was overall prepared for the series but reiterated the need for improving its standards in the field.

“England are a very good fielding side as compared to us,” he said. “We need to match their standards in order to improve our chances. We have worked really hard in this department and I am hoping for an improved show.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2012.