A photo showing captain Misbahul Haq during net practise. PHOTO: AFP
A miserable Pakistan were thrashed 3-0 in Tests and lost 3-2 in the one-day series, despite fighting hard, losses which Misbah attributed to poor batting.
"Those were disappointing series," Misbah told reporters on the team's arrival back home early Tuesday.
"We were better in the one-dayers but couldn't do much in the Tests and it's an alarming situation where we need improvement in a lot of things."
Pakistan's batting flopped against a high quality South African pace attack led by Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. They lost the first Test by 211 runs, the second by four wickets and the third by an innings and 18 runs.
In between the Tests and one-days, Pakistan managed to win a two-match Twenty20 series 1-0 after the first match was abandoned due to rain.
Misbah, who was the team's leading batsman with 227 in the one-day series, admitted it was the batting that let the side down.
"I think our batting struggled throughout the tour, whether it were the Tests or one-days but the pitches were such that even a top quality batsman like Hashim Amla (of South Africa) also struggled (in a few matches)," said Misbah.
"We also played irresponsible shots and we need to address our batting problems."
Misbah dismissed reports in the Pakistani media of a rift between him and Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez.
"We didn't lose because of any rift, we must admit that South Africa were the better team in both the formats," said Misbah, who turns 39 shortly.
He refused to analyse player performances after former greats called for a clean out to prepare for the 2015 World Cup.
"It is up to the cricket board and the selectors to gauge the performance of the players. I can't do that, everyone has seen who has performed," he said.
Pakistan will now compete in the eight-team Champions Trophy in England in June.
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I don't know why people are bend on forcing Misbah to retire when we all know that we don't have any quality replacement(s) in the bucket. All these Asads and Umer Akmals has under performed in the matches they have played so far. I see a bleak future of Pakistani cricket team. There is no sporting activities in our schools and more ever with the advent of computers, young generation is more inclined towards wasting their time playing video games/internet.
we lost to England, Australia, SRI lanka & now South Africa under the captaincy of Misbah- ul Haq. at times he become to defensive & as a result Pakistan lost games. We need to ask for retirement from Younas, Malik, & Misbah, AFridi is super fit & performed well in the two games. His bowling is getting improved & he will surely come up with the goods in the next games.
While Misbah acknowledges the disappointing performance of Pakistan team, Mr. Zaka Ashraf on the other hand finds the performance of the team satisfactory. lol what a circus
Does anybody remember what M. Yousuf said about the test cricket in Pakistan? The T20 culture has ruined the batting of Pakistani cricketers. Misbah is saying something similar. Test cricket needs long term planning and patience which we sadly lack. We want Afridis not solid bats like Hanif, Miandad and MY, and Y. Khan. Once we had slow but solid opening batsmen but now we have Hafiz and likes. There should be two teams like many other coutnries and no corssovers.
@Karachiwala: I am from Karachi, but Sir I think you are getting more than bit biased From team that went to SA Junaid Khan, Umar Gul – KP Afridi, Asad Sahfiq, Yonus Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal - Sind
@Sane: Cannot agree more !!!
I do not think that anything is alarming. These days it is tough to beat teams on home grounds. Look at Australia, clean sweeped by Indians. England barely surviving series loss in New Zealand this morning, earlier South Africa clean sweeped same New Zealand who nearly won a series at home against England. Come on guys in cricket as in any other sports you win some and you loose some, but if you are playing South Africa in South Africa you are bound to loose more!!!!
its not Pakitsna cricket anymore... its always PUNJAB cricket. and no wonder its in chaos... as was the PUNJAB INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE as it is PUNJAB RAILWAYS as it is PUNJAB steel.
Ha! only one match.. had we won only one match, the last one in the series, we won't have received these words of wisdom from Misbah.
Taoo, I agree with you but why did u left out Afridi and malik also. They need to retire with kamran and younus and gul.
As they say if you are not a part of the solution then for sure you must be a part of the problem. Retiring with dignity is not a very well know attribute among our cricketers. With the T20 leagues now blossoming in Australia , Bangladesh , West Indies and Sri Lanka I am sure these oldies goldies of our team can keep themselves busy after retiring from pro test and one day cricket. It about time we ring the changes and give the next generation of players a chance to shine.
Misbah, thank you for all your work for the cricket and for the Country. Do everyone a favor, resign with dignity and pride. Take Younus and Kamran home with you and leave the dug out space for players like Asad Shafiq, Ahmed Shahzad, Umer Amin, Azhar Ali, Shahzaib Hassan, Umer Akmal and Ramiz Raza junior. Thank you seniors,