“We are the same side that defeated the then world number one team [England] 3-0 [last year]. We are capable of doing that again and the only thing that matters is how we play.” PHOTO: AFP.
The team held an extensive training session yesterday at the Sheikh Zayad Stadium in Abu Dhabi that lasted for nearly three hours. It included physical training besides bowling, batting and fielding practice.
The team is scheduled to begin a two-day practice game against the UAE today.
Misbah, while addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi, reiterated his team’s resolve of putting on a good show against the world’s best Test side despite an awful end to the Zimbabwean tour, where they suffered a shock defeat in the second Test in Harare.
“As a professional, I think winning and losing is part of the game,” said the Pakistan captain.
“You just try to focus on the upcoming games. Forget about the matches that took place in the past. It doesn’t matter that we lost against Zimbabwe. It doesn’t mean we are a poor side.
“We are the same side that defeated the then world number one team [England] 3-0 [last year]. We are capable of doing that again and the only thing that matters is how we play.”
Misbah hoped the team would perform up to expectations and overcome the fragility of the batting department.
Yousuf rates Pakistan favourites over Proteas
Former captain Mohammad Yousuf rated Pakistan as favourites against South Africa in the upcoming Test series.
“In my opinion, Pakistan are favourites because of the favourable conditions in the UAE,” said the former captain, who captained Pakistan to victory over South Arica in the first Test of the 2003 series, which helped the hosts win what is, to date, their only series triumph against the Proteas.
“The conditions will be hot in the UAE plus Pakistan will have the advantage of spin-friendly wickets, just as they had against England last year.
“If the venue was Pakistan, I would have a different opinion because spinners don’t get that much help here.”
Pakistan A bowlers struggle against SA
Pakistan A bowlers struggled as South Africa compiled 332 for five in 90 overs on the opening day of the three-day practice match in Sharjah yesterday.
Four of the visiting team’s top-order batsmen – Alviro Petersen (58), Hashim Amla (50), Jacques Kallis (70) and AB de Villiers (58) – scored half centuries after captain Graeme Smith was dismissed by Ehsan Adil for 2 runs.
Usman Qadir, who picked off De Villiers, and Sohaib Maqsood who removed Kallis, were the other wicket-takers as Petersen and Amla retired after completing their half-centuries.
Pakistan A captain Umar Amin, who elected to field first, utilised seven bowlers on the first day as Imran Khan, Aizaz Cheema and Yasir Shah remained unsuccessful. Amin himself bowled three overs conceding 11 runs.
The home team will select three remaining players for the Test series against South Africa after this match, with Ahmed Shahzad, Shaan Masood and Asad Shafiq the leading candidates for induction in the final 15. The selectors have already announced 12 players for the series.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2013.
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