Misbah upbeat after draw

Captain praises Khan’s match-saving performance, says victory will help build team confidence.

DUBAI: Misbahul Haq, whose first Test as captain ended in a draw, praised his side’s performance and said that it will help build Pakistan’s confidence in the format. Faced with a daunting 451-target to win the match, Younus Khan and Misbah steered Pakistan to safety as they added 186 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket.

“We need Tests like this,” said Misbah after Pakistan pulled off a draw against the world number two Test team South Africa. “We haven’t been playing much Test match cricket for two to three years but now we are and it’s helping our confidence.”

After a familiar batting collapse in the first innings, Pakistan were forced on the backfoot conceding a first-innings lead of 132 runs. South Africa then set a daunting target but Khan, playing his first Test since last year, and Misbah, dropped from the England tour, ensured the series will be decided in the second and last Test in Abu Dhabi.

“We were just trying to play our natural game and see what happens next. The way they were bowling was a bit defensive and we were okay [with the approach]. If they would have attacked then we would have countered that as well.”

Misbah praised the 64-Test veteran Khan and said that the former captain was a “team player”.

“He is a world class player and he proved that again. He is a team player. I’ve always loved to bat with him. We’ve really enjoyed a lot of partnerships together and this was yet another one of those.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2010.