Misbah calls for aggression in Tests
Captain believes conditions in NewZealand will be a test of temperament.
LAHORE:
Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq has urged his players to be on the offensive, advising the batsmen to be more attacking in their approach in order to put pressure on the hosts.
“I’m pleased with the way we’ve played on the last tour [against South Africa in the UAE] but the batsmen should be more focused this time and should be more aggressive in their approach than they were against South Africa,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “The players are confident and looking forward to the challenge in New Zealand even though the conditions will test our temperament.
“We batted well in the UAE and each batsman is ready to carry on the good work.”
According to Misbah, the bowlers, who underperformed in the ‘home’ series in the UAE, have the potential to guide Pakistan to victory if the batting line-up supports them.
“The bowling suffered against South Africa when Wahab Riaz was pulled out due to injury. We had to carry on with one fast-bowler and that made it difficult against a strong batting line-up. But our bowling has the capacity to do the damage provided we put runs on the board first.”
Pakistan will take on the hosts in the Test series minus three of its key players – Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf – who missed out due to various reasons.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2010.
Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq has urged his players to be on the offensive, advising the batsmen to be more attacking in their approach in order to put pressure on the hosts.
“I’m pleased with the way we’ve played on the last tour [against South Africa in the UAE] but the batsmen should be more focused this time and should be more aggressive in their approach than they were against South Africa,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “The players are confident and looking forward to the challenge in New Zealand even though the conditions will test our temperament.
“We batted well in the UAE and each batsman is ready to carry on the good work.”
According to Misbah, the bowlers, who underperformed in the ‘home’ series in the UAE, have the potential to guide Pakistan to victory if the batting line-up supports them.
“The bowling suffered against South Africa when Wahab Riaz was pulled out due to injury. We had to carry on with one fast-bowler and that made it difficult against a strong batting line-up. But our bowling has the capacity to do the damage provided we put runs on the board first.”
Pakistan will take on the hosts in the Test series minus three of its key players – Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf – who missed out due to various reasons.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2010.