Misbah terms batting woes as reason for decline
Veteran says he is not ‘under pressure’ over captaincy debate.
Misbah has called for joint efforts from the Pakistan Cricket Board and former cricketers to seek solutions to the decline in the quality of the team’s batting. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Terming weak batting as the main culprit behind his team’s gradual decline, Misbahul Haq has called for joint efforts from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former cricketers to seek solutions for more prosperous results.
Misbah, who flew directly to India for the Champions League Twenty20 (CL T20) from Zimbabwe, returned home yesterday along with Faisalabad Wolves teammates Saeed Ajmal and Ehsan Adil.
Pakistan ended the tour of Zimbabwe with a shock defeat in the second and final Test that deprived them of a series triumph.
The Pakistan Test and One-Day International (ODI) captain stressed it was their batting that was pushing them towards a decline.
“We are struggling because of our batting,” said the experienced middle-order batsman.
“Batting has been our weak area for the last one year. We have tried different combinations, but all of our batsmen are struggling.
“We even struggled against Zimbabwe and managed to score 250 runs just once in four innings in the Test series. We must improve in the area to get better results. The PCB and former cricketers need to combine their efforts to overcome this problem.
“Our youngsters need exposure. Not necessarily in international matches, but as I have said earlier, they also need to play in leagues where they will get a chance to play with top foreign cricketers.”
Misbah pointed out similar reasons for Faisalabad Wolves’ failure to reach the main round of the CL T20.
‘Not afraid of losing captaincy’
Although Misbah is in his prime as a batsman, his captaincy skills are again being questioned in the aftermath of the Harare defeat.
However, the 39-year-old said the debate over captaincy did not worry him.
“I never asked for captaincy,” said Misbah. “The board gave it to me and I accepted it. I will not have any issue if the PCB decides to remove me from captaincy. I don’t have any pressure of losing it.”
Asked about his plans for the 2015 World Cup, Misbah stated that the event was far away and he could not add further on the subject.
Misbah, who was the only batsman to shine for Wolves, maintained he had no plans to return to the Twenty20 format. “I will not return to what I have left as all my focus in on Tests and ODIs.”
PCB retains team officials for South Africa series
The PCB gave a one-month extension to Pakistan bowling coach Mohammad Akram, confirming the former pacer as part of the coaching panel for the home series against South Africa in the UAE.
The board also retained former captain Moin Khan as the manager of the team.
A PCB official said the decision was taken in the light of the court order that refrained the caretaker setup to appoint or terminate any official.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.
Terming weak batting as the main culprit behind his team’s gradual decline, Misbahul Haq has called for joint efforts from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former cricketers to seek solutions for more prosperous results.
Misbah, who flew directly to India for the Champions League Twenty20 (CL T20) from Zimbabwe, returned home yesterday along with Faisalabad Wolves teammates Saeed Ajmal and Ehsan Adil.
Pakistan ended the tour of Zimbabwe with a shock defeat in the second and final Test that deprived them of a series triumph.
The Pakistan Test and One-Day International (ODI) captain stressed it was their batting that was pushing them towards a decline.
“We are struggling because of our batting,” said the experienced middle-order batsman.
“Batting has been our weak area for the last one year. We have tried different combinations, but all of our batsmen are struggling.
“We even struggled against Zimbabwe and managed to score 250 runs just once in four innings in the Test series. We must improve in the area to get better results. The PCB and former cricketers need to combine their efforts to overcome this problem.
“Our youngsters need exposure. Not necessarily in international matches, but as I have said earlier, they also need to play in leagues where they will get a chance to play with top foreign cricketers.”
Misbah pointed out similar reasons for Faisalabad Wolves’ failure to reach the main round of the CL T20.
‘Not afraid of losing captaincy’
Although Misbah is in his prime as a batsman, his captaincy skills are again being questioned in the aftermath of the Harare defeat.
However, the 39-year-old said the debate over captaincy did not worry him.
“I never asked for captaincy,” said Misbah. “The board gave it to me and I accepted it. I will not have any issue if the PCB decides to remove me from captaincy. I don’t have any pressure of losing it.”
Asked about his plans for the 2015 World Cup, Misbah stated that the event was far away and he could not add further on the subject.
Misbah, who was the only batsman to shine for Wolves, maintained he had no plans to return to the Twenty20 format. “I will not return to what I have left as all my focus in on Tests and ODIs.”
PCB retains team officials for South Africa series
The PCB gave a one-month extension to Pakistan bowling coach Mohammad Akram, confirming the former pacer as part of the coaching panel for the home series against South Africa in the UAE.
The board also retained former captain Moin Khan as the manager of the team.
A PCB official said the decision was taken in the light of the court order that refrained the caretaker setup to appoint or terminate any official.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.