Cricket: Completely separate teams can’t be made, says Misbah
Pakistan captain Misbah has no intention ‘just to play Tests’.
KARACHI:
Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has opposed the idea of forming three separate teams for all formats before adding that only three to four changes in the playing eleven were possible.
Pakistan selectors have pondered over the idea of forming separate teams ahead of the World Twenty20, but is yet to be implemented.
“Three to four changes can be made and are necessary,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “But changing an entire line-up of 11 or 15 players can’t be done.”
The captain also expressed his desire to continue leading the team, including for the World Twenty20 that takes place in Sri Lanka in September. Calls for Misbah, who has often faced criticism for a ‘defensive’ approach to captaincy and batting, to be dropped from the limited-overs versions of the game have gathered pace, especially Twenty20.
Pakistan went down to England 4-0 in the One-Day Internationals (ODI) – ending a fine run that saw the team remain unbeaten in ODI series in 2011 – before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat in the Twenty20s .
However, Misbah, who turns 38 next month, said that he wanted to continue leading the team and feature in all three formats of the game.
“I don’t want to just play Test cricket. I want to lead the team at the World Twenty20 as well but obviously that’s up to the selectors. As far as people calling my batting style defensive is concerned, I play according to the situation. I’m the captain and I have an added responsibility.”
‘I will prove my critics wrong’
The right-hander, a late starter having made his international debut at the age of 26, vowed to prove his critics wrong.
“When I made my debut, people called me old and said I have little future in the game. But I’ve been able to prove them wrong with my performances. Now I’m confident of doing the same.”
Misbah, who has played 98 ODIs, 34 Tests and 39 Twenty20s, added that he has never opposed the idea of a deputy, which the Pakistan management is yet to appoint. He added that a good rapport with head coach Dav Whatmore, whose first assignment with the team was the Asia Cup that Pakistan won, has been established.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012.
Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has opposed the idea of forming three separate teams for all formats before adding that only three to four changes in the playing eleven were possible.
Pakistan selectors have pondered over the idea of forming separate teams ahead of the World Twenty20, but is yet to be implemented.
“Three to four changes can be made and are necessary,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “But changing an entire line-up of 11 or 15 players can’t be done.”
The captain also expressed his desire to continue leading the team, including for the World Twenty20 that takes place in Sri Lanka in September. Calls for Misbah, who has often faced criticism for a ‘defensive’ approach to captaincy and batting, to be dropped from the limited-overs versions of the game have gathered pace, especially Twenty20.
Pakistan went down to England 4-0 in the One-Day Internationals (ODI) – ending a fine run that saw the team remain unbeaten in ODI series in 2011 – before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat in the Twenty20s .
However, Misbah, who turns 38 next month, said that he wanted to continue leading the team and feature in all three formats of the game.
“I don’t want to just play Test cricket. I want to lead the team at the World Twenty20 as well but obviously that’s up to the selectors. As far as people calling my batting style defensive is concerned, I play according to the situation. I’m the captain and I have an added responsibility.”
‘I will prove my critics wrong’
The right-hander, a late starter having made his international debut at the age of 26, vowed to prove his critics wrong.
“When I made my debut, people called me old and said I have little future in the game. But I’ve been able to prove them wrong with my performances. Now I’m confident of doing the same.”
Misbah, who has played 98 ODIs, 34 Tests and 39 Twenty20s, added that he has never opposed the idea of a deputy, which the Pakistan management is yet to appoint. He added that a good rapport with head coach Dav Whatmore, whose first assignment with the team was the Asia Cup that Pakistan won, has been established.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012.