Pakistan vs England: A whitewash in sight

Coach Mohsin says Pakist­an will go all out in final Test agains­t Englan­d.

KARACHI: After securing an unassailable 2-0 lead against the world’s top Test team, Pakistan have set their sights on a whitewash against England.

Few thought Pakistan would win the three-match series and even fewer would have predicted a 2-0 scoreline going into the final match.

However, victory inside three days in Dubai and a fairytale finish to the match in Abu Dhabi has given the confidence to Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan that the team is capable of registering a 3-0 win against England.

“Every team would want to make it 3-0 from this position,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “Obviously, we would like that scoreline. A whitewash against the top team will be a huge confidence booster in our bid to become the best in the world.”

England still tough
opponents

The former opening batsman, however, warned that his team would have to go all out to win the final Test that takes place in Dubai from February 3.

“England are tough opponents. They came back strongly after losing the first Test and we’re expecting the same in the final match.

“We will have to work very hard to win. It will be tough but possible.”

The coach hinted at changes for the final match ‘but not at the cost of team balance’.

“We’re not in a position of making experiments. Our ultimate goal is to become the world’s top team and for that to happen, we can’t afford complacency.”

Coach defends batsmen

While the spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman wreaking havoc to enable a dramatic win on the fourth day, some highlighted batting as a sign of worry after Pakistan were bowled out for 257 and 214 in the second Test.

However, Mohsin said the pitch was difficult and the relatively inexperienced batting line-up performed ably. “I don’t feel our batsmen failed. If this is the case, what will people say about England who have more experienced players?

“Apart from Misbahul Haq and Younus [Khan], we have a relatively inexperienced lineup and their performance under the circumstances was commendable.”

‘Pakistan beat us fair and square’

Meanwhile, England coach Andy Flower called on his team to prove their mettle in subsequent matches in the subcontinent. “We realise that we haven’t been very skillful in dealing with that type of cricket,” said Flower. “In saying that, it’s also right to praise the Pakistan team for what they have done. They beat us fair and square.

“They have fought hard and worked hard at their game and in a way I’m very happy for them. It’s good for their cricket and it’s good for their country.

“It was a wake-up call no one wanted to get. Not to that degree. But, yes it is,” said Flower. with additional input from afp

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2012.