3rd Test: With aims of a whitewash

England look to salvage pride, Pakistan want a 3-0 score-line.

DUBAI:

Not even the most optimistic of Pakistan fans would have predicted the team would go into the third and final Test, which starts in Dubai today, aiming for a clean sweep over the world’s top-ranked team.

But as the first two matches panned out, Pakistan will be looking towards clinching their fifth whitewash in Test cricket in a series of at least three matches. Additionally, no team has ever registered a clean sweep in the 58 years of Pakistan-England cricket and Misbah’s team now has a good chance of creating history following comprehensive wins in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Not taking extra pressure: Misbah

Captain Misbahul Haq, amid all the praise and accolade, believed a 3-0 score-line will be a big achievement but stressed that his team will not take that extra pressure into the match.

“It will be a big achievement for the team,” said Misbah. “If we play well like we did in the first two games, good results will come but we will not take that extra pressure.”

Since taking over as captain in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal, Misbah has led Pakistan to eight wins with one defeat and five draws. However, the 37-year-old said England were still a good team and winning the last Test will not be easy.

“No doubt, England are a good team, they are number one in the world and it will not be easy because they’ll be more prepared, but we’ll try our best.”

Misbah’s weapons include the spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, who have been instrumental in the series-win. Ajmal took a career best seven for 55 in the first Test here and Rehman registered his best six for 25 in the second in Abu Dhabi, feats which Misbah said were extraordinary.

“I think both have been bowling well for quite some time now and they create pressure. On top of that England batsmen were low on confidence.”

Misbah hinted at keeping the same combination, although Pakistan have the option of using the bench player in paceman Wahab Riaz in place of Junaid Khan.

“I’m a firm believer in the balance of the team because the first priority is to win and we’ll go with whatever is the best combination.”

Different agenda

England, who will also be in danger of losing their top ranking if they lose here, will have to find a quick solution to counter Ajmal and Rehman with Andrew Strauss admitting that this would be key in Dubai.

“That’s one of the crucial things about playing spin, you have to adapt your game according to the surfaces you play on,” said Strauss. “You’ll see people a bit clearer in what their game-plan is and how they’re looking to play, which is a good starting point. We desperately want to avoid losing the series 3-0. There’s a feeling among the whole squad that we can and should come back.”

Misbahul Haq

“It will be a big achievement for us. England are a good team, they are number one in the world and it will not be easy because they will be more prepared, but we will try our best.”

Mohsin Khan

“I think this team has the capacity to become the world’s best team. Our target should be to gradually come in the top three in Tests and One-Day Internationals and then aim for the first place.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2012.