Misbah welcomes PCB’s criteria for central contracts
Captain believes keeping fitness as incentive would improve performance.
Misbah emphasised that the month-long training would definitely help in the August series against Sri Lanka. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
As the national training camp of Pakistan team nears conclusion, captain Misbahul Haq has voiced his support for the upcoming fitness-based central contracts – introduced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – and said the step would help bringing professionalism to the sport.
The Express Tribune had earlier reported that the central contracts announcement will be delayed in order to gauge the improvement in fitness of players.
“It’s a good step to relate central contracts with fitness, because it will definitely help in bringing professionalism in the Pakistan team,” said Misbah, while speaking to media in Lahore.
“This is something which is beneficial for us in the long run, as we’ll have an incentive to continue working hard in the future as well.”
When asked about critics wanting Misbah to be removed from captaincy despite doing well, the ODI and Test skipper replied that his focus has always been to do well and remain fit, while the captaincy issue is something that is under the control of the PCB.
The 40-year-old has so far represented Pakistan in 46 Tests, scoring 3,218 runs at an average of 48.75 while he has accumulated 4,527 runs in 146 ODI appearances, averaging 44.38.
He scored 788 runs in 39 T20Is at an average of 27.52 before being forced out of the team when Mohammad Hafeez was named the T20 skipper back in 2012.
‘Waqar’s appointment will benefit Pakistan’
Commenting on the appointment of Waqar Younis as head coach for the second time in his career, Misbah said that the former captain’s passion for Pakistan cricket will take the team a long way.
“Waqar has been loyal to Pakistan cricket and he has done good work when he was coach previously; he brought in youngsters such as Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and others who have cemented their place in the team.
“He has done a good job in the past and seeing the passion he has for cricket, things will only improve under him.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.
As the national training camp of Pakistan team nears conclusion, captain Misbahul Haq has voiced his support for the upcoming fitness-based central contracts – introduced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – and said the step would help bringing professionalism to the sport.
The Express Tribune had earlier reported that the central contracts announcement will be delayed in order to gauge the improvement in fitness of players.
“It’s a good step to relate central contracts with fitness, because it will definitely help in bringing professionalism in the Pakistan team,” said Misbah, while speaking to media in Lahore.
“This is something which is beneficial for us in the long run, as we’ll have an incentive to continue working hard in the future as well.”
When asked about critics wanting Misbah to be removed from captaincy despite doing well, the ODI and Test skipper replied that his focus has always been to do well and remain fit, while the captaincy issue is something that is under the control of the PCB.
The 40-year-old has so far represented Pakistan in 46 Tests, scoring 3,218 runs at an average of 48.75 while he has accumulated 4,527 runs in 146 ODI appearances, averaging 44.38.
He scored 788 runs in 39 T20Is at an average of 27.52 before being forced out of the team when Mohammad Hafeez was named the T20 skipper back in 2012.
‘Waqar’s appointment will benefit Pakistan’
Commenting on the appointment of Waqar Younis as head coach for the second time in his career, Misbah said that the former captain’s passion for Pakistan cricket will take the team a long way.
“Waqar has been loyal to Pakistan cricket and he has done good work when he was coach previously; he brought in youngsters such as Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and others who have cemented their place in the team.
“He has done a good job in the past and seeing the passion he has for cricket, things will only improve under him.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.