Skipper rues missed opportunity of winning series

LONDON: Misbah-ul-Haq was okay with the 2-2 finish of the Test series but did rue the fact that his team could have returned home from England with the trophy in their bags.

Pakistan won at Lord’s, were outclassed at Old Trafford and were in a seemingly winning position at Edgbaston before losing the third Test by a big margin. After what transpired at The Oval, even a draw at Edgbaston would have given Pakistan a memorable series win.

“Obviously if I think about Edgbaston, it gets a bit disappointing that the series is drawn. We could have drawn that Test or won that Test. But to lose it from such a position is a bit disappointing. But winning this match means a lot to us as 2-2 isn’t a bad score,” Misbah told reporters here at The Oval after Pakistan bean England by ten wickets in the Test series finale.

“It was really important for us to win this game. We were 2-1 down. We had this belief that we could win against England. We came back strongly in the third Test. We were right at the top for three days but then England won it.

“I’m happy with the sort of character shown by this Pakistan team. After suffering defeats they fought back to level the series. It is pleasing for me that this team has character as it fought hard and leveled the series.”

Misbah was pleased by the fact that unlike English tours of the past, Pakistan’s sojourn this summer has been incident free.

“Cricket matches are won and lost. To win people, to win audiences, to win supporters is more important for you. This series was played in good spirit and both teams fought well. There were off field or on field issues and we are happy that we concluded this series on a pleasing note.”

Pakistan are to play a five-match ODI series against a strong English side and Misbah’s advice to Azhar Ali’s men was “give your best”.

“It (Pakistan’s ODI side) is a young team but they are capable of winning the one-day series. I know that they are not experienced enough. They have a new captain. What they need is to really believe in themselves and go there and play to their potential. They can beat England, who are no doubt a very good team especially in ODIs and T20 format. They are playing outstanding cricket. To beat them you need to really give your best.”

Middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq was promoted up the order in the final Test and Misbah made it clear that it was no makeshift move.

“It wasn’t a make-shift arrangement. We were thinking long-term. He (Asad) was ready for the challenge and was asking for more responsibility. He is the kind of player who can take such responsibility,” he said.

There are reports that England might opt out of their tour of Bangladesh because of security concerns but when asked to comment on such an eventuality, Misbah said that such decisions are not good for cricket.

“It is obviously their (England’s) decision,” he said. But I always say that if a team is not playing at home it is not good for cricket. Bangladesh always shows great support for cricket. They are crazy about cricket. If they are deprived of cricket then it will be a big loss for them.”