KARACHI, Nov 27 (APP): Pakistan’s Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq Khan believed that drawing a 2-test match series against the formidable South Africa was a creditable show which gave a great deal of confidence to the team for next month’s tour to New Zealand.“The team put up a fighting show and holding powerful South Africans to a draw in both the test matches was a great sign,” he told Sports Correspondent Ehsan Qureshi in an exclusive interview on Saturday.“I feel proud and satisfied that I contributed something in saving both the games for Pakistan. I want to serve the country with best of my abilities,” he commented.“I don’t want to prove any of my critics wrong with my batting but only want to serve the country,” he said modestly.
“The credit goes to the whole team not only to me or Younis Khan. It was a team effort all the way,” Misbah, who scored 212 runs at an average of 53.00, said.
“The upcoming series against New Zealand will be tough. But the confidence the guys gained against South Africa will be a booster,” 36-year-old veteran batsman, who had scored 1128 runs in 21 test matches at an average of 38.37 with two centuries and seven fifties, said.
“I know the ball will be moving around in New Zealand. But our team really did well in the tour against Kiwis last year,” he remarked. Absence of pacers like Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif may be felt.
“But I think there are some good pace bowlers around in Umer Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, hopefully Wahab Riaz will also get fit. We have to rely on the available resources and the team provided by the selectors,” he maintained.
“I will give my feed back to selectors to finalise the test team,” pointed out.
Commenting on the wild-stroke Umer Akmal, he said Umer is talented batsman but test matches need patience which is the core issue.
“Umer is aggressive by nature and went after the bowling and paid the penalty. I hope he learns from his mistakes,” he observed.
Responding to another question about the availability of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for tour to Down Under, he said it was upto the Pakistan Cricket Board and selectors to decide about it.
Similarly, on the selection of former Pakistan Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal, he said it was again the domain of the Board, however, as far as his personal opinion was concern, he would like them in the team.
Talking about the showing of newcomer Adnan Akmal, he said Adnan was also talented but it would take him time to learn the trick of the sport with the passage of time.
When asked to compare Sarfraz Ahmed with Adnan, Misbah said he was optimistic about them but rest is with the Selection Committee.
“The credit goes to the whole team not only to me or Younis Khan. It was a team effort all the way,” Misbah, who scored 212 runs at an average of 53.00, said.
“The upcoming series against New Zealand will be tough. But the confidence the guys gained against South Africa will be a booster,” 36-year-old veteran batsman, who had scored 1128 runs in 21 test matches at an average of 38.37 with two centuries and seven fifties, said.
“I know the ball will be moving around in New Zealand. But our team really did well in the tour against Kiwis last year,” he remarked. Absence of pacers like Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif may be felt.
“But I think there are some good pace bowlers around in Umer Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, hopefully Wahab Riaz will also get fit. We have to rely on the available resources and the team provided by the selectors,” he maintained.
“I will give my feed back to selectors to finalise the test team,” pointed out.
Commenting on the wild-stroke Umer Akmal, he said Umer is talented batsman but test matches need patience which is the core issue.
“Umer is aggressive by nature and went after the bowling and paid the penalty. I hope he learns from his mistakes,” he observed.
Responding to another question about the availability of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for tour to Down Under, he said it was upto the Pakistan Cricket Board and selectors to decide about it.
Similarly, on the selection of former Pakistan Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal, he said it was again the domain of the Board, however, as far as his personal opinion was concern, he would like them in the team.
Talking about the showing of newcomer Adnan Akmal, he said Adnan was also talented but it would take him time to learn the trick of the sport with the passage of time.
When asked to compare Sarfraz Ahmed with Adnan, Misbah said he was optimistic about them but rest is with the Selection Committee.
