After setting the Lord’s stadium alight by executing push-ups as an acknowledgement of a pre-tour boot camp with Army members, Pakistan skipper Misbah ul Haq has called for more of the same if they end up on the positive side of the third Test against England.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the crucial encounter in Birmingham, the senior statesman however admitted that the 330-run loss in the previous match at Old Trafford was a huge reality check.
Misbah enthused, “Obviously, we have been doing everything we can (to win the third Test). And let us see if we get another chance to do some more push-ups. We need to improve (with the bat). If you look at the last Test match, we let them score heavily in the first two days.”
He added, “We didn’t put pressure on them. They scored nearly 600 runs but we could have done better with the bat, we need to really improve that. Especially after getting starts, we need to go big.”
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With the series level at 1-1, both teams would hope to seize the initiative before the series rounds off at The Oval. But, Pakistan need to rebound quickly from what was a one-sided affair in Manchester.
Misbah felt, “Every loss gives us a reality check. It helps us analyze our mistakes and rectify them. There are occasions when we made great comebacks and we are hoping to walk in with the attitude that we have to wash away the disappointment of the last match.”
One of the major concerns plaguing the visitors throughout the tour has been the woeful form of the experienced Younis Khan. But, the skipper backed him to turn his fortunes around.
Misbah hoped, “That has happened to him so many times and he always comes back with an amazing innings. We are looking forward to him producing such an innings in this series.“
While heaping praise on England’s recent Test run, he also lamented the security situation prevailing in Pakistan which is forcing his team to play their home matches somewhere else.
The 42-year old claimed, “Not playing at home can really hurt your overall development as a cricketing nation. The youth is losing interest. That is where we are unlucky. We want international cricket back in Pakistan.“
When enquired about the exclusion of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal from the probables for the ODI leg, he quipped, “A team is bigger than any player. We have to understand this and we have to discipline ourselves. Our priority should be fitness and performance. If my priorities are not set rightly, even I should not be allowed in the team.“
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