Runs just around the corner for me, says Misbah

Pakistan ODI, Test captain not alarmed by poor form in domestic cricket.

KARACHI: Despite a poor run in the ongoing President’s Trophy, Pakistan Test and One-Day International captain Misbahul Haq was a confident man, saying that runs ‘were around the corner’ for him in the domestic tournament.

The 38-year-old, who has been one of the most consistent performers for Pakistan in recent times, has been unable to register a half-century in six innings of the President’s Trophy. The right-handed middle-order batsman began the domestic event in the worst manner, bagging a pair and has managed a mediocre tally of 102 runs at an average of 17 for SNGPL.

However, known for his temperament and calm head, Misbah said there was nothing alarming as he was confident of contributing when the tournament resumes after the Eid break.

“There are a lot of matches remaining in the season,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “I’m not going to panic as I’m confident runs are around the corner for me.”

SNGPL, currently second in the 10-team tournament, are just six points behind HBL after four rounds. When asked if SNGPL could win the President’s Trophy title, Misbah said his side was looking at it on a match-to-match basis.

Misbah also appreciated the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to use Kookaburra balls in domestic cricket, stating that it would help players to adjust when they feature at the international level. The PCB’s decision followed complaints from various players of the sub-standard balls being used at the President’s Trophy.

“I feel the decision of using Kookaburra balls will at least help in decreasing the gap between domestic and international cricket. Both bowlers and batsmen will get a fair idea of how the ball behaves.”

‘Cricket fraternity should help Pakistan’

Misbah also urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and teams to help Pakistan in reviving top-flight international cricket in the country as it was really mentally draining to play away from home all the time.

“Pakistan has the second-largest fan-base and is one of the top Test-playing nations. All the other teams should now help us bring back international cricket as our performances also gets affected because of being away from out families all the time. Every top team is playing at home and it has many advantages.”

After successfully staging exhibition matches, the PCB is planning to launch the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) and Misbah felt that players needed to support it since the country’s players have always reciprocated it in other places.

“Top players around the world should come and play in Pakistan’s T20 league because our players have been an integral part of almost all the foreign leagues. PCB allowed its players to take part in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and it’s time for them to reciprocate.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2012.