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Speaking exclusively with PakPassion.net, successful skipper Misbah ul Haq, who has hit four half centuries since being appointed Test captain, expressed his delight at the all round performance in Hamilton, but also emphasised that there was still plenty of hard work ahead. In particular, he feels there were definite areas where the team can improve upon
Having thrashed the hosts by 10 wickets in Hamilton, Pakistan go into the second Test against New Zealand a content and confident unit.
Speaking exclusively with PakPassion.net, successful skipper Misbah ul Haq, who has hit four half centuries since being appointed Test captain, expressed his delight at the all round performance in Hamilton, but also emphasised that there was still plenty of hard work ahead. In particular, he feels there were definite areas where the team can improve upon.
"Hamilton was really pleasing. The team went into the match full of confidence after the series in South Africa and the victory in Hamilton has further enhanced our confidence levels. Our aim is to improve further and perform even better in Wellington."
Going into the third day at Hamilton Pakistan found themselves in an extremely strong position, having bowled New Zealand out for 275 and were 230 for 4, with Asad Shafiq and the captain at the crease. Misbah though felt that looking back at the first Test, Pakistan should have managed a lead greater than the 92 they achieved in their first innings.
"I feel we are an improving unit in all areas of our cricket which is a very good sign. However one shouldn't sit back and not take note of areas of the game that I feel we can further improve upon. If you look at our batting in the first Test, a lot of us got starts and nobody went on to score a hundred. What I would like to see is for our batsmen, myself included, to ensure that we make full use of our good starts, and ensure that we bat for long periods; if a similar situation to Hamilton presents itself, we should ensure that we earn a bigger lead than 92. I really want our batsmen to make sure that the good starts are not wasted."
Pakistan took all the plaudits in the first Test, whilst the hosts came in for a fair amount of criticism from fans and press alike. However, with the series comprising just two Tests, the Kiwis will be looking to bounce back at Wellington and level the series, something that Misbah is fully aware of.
"Cricket is so fast nowadays that you rarely see a drawn test match, unless the wicket is really flat. Our best policy for the upcoming match at Wellington will be to go for a win, rather than just consolidate our one-nil lead. I want my team to perform well, play good cricket and look to wrap up the series two-nil. Also, I expect that the wicket at Wellington will be a "sporting track" and will give full value for the batsmen and bowlers and will likely be a result producing track. Our opponents no doubt will push us hard, as they will be going into the second test on the back of a heavy defeat and will of course be looking to level the series. We need to be wary of the fact that New Zealand will come hard at us. We will need to work even harder and ensure that we are even more focused in Wellington."
The current Pakistan squad boasts an array of experienced cricketers mixed with some exciting yet raw young talent. 36 year old Misbah who made his Test debut in New Zealand more than ten years ago reckons that the youngsters in the team are a very talented, responsible and committed bunch and feels that it's important for the senior players in the side to ensure that they are setting the right example for the youngsters.
"I'm really pleased with how the younger boys in the side have responded to the challenge. It is very important for senior and experienced players like myself to set a good example for the youngsters. However, it makes my life so much easier and it's very satisfying when I am given such a responsible and committed group. It is also heartening to listen to input from the younger boys in the squad in group discussions and they deserve credit for the responsibility and application they are showing."
Misbah's style of captaincy since he took over in the UAE series versus South Africa has received a lot of praise and many observers feel his cool and calculated style of leadership is ideal for the current Pakistan side. However, the SNGPL skipper feels that a lot of the credit should go to his team mates, rather than to any specific individual.
"Credit to all of the team for the fantastic way they have responded to me. I am hardly having to say anything to the side and everybody knows their role in the team. I'm seeing a great degree of professionalism and responsibility from all of the players which is fantastic and makes my job a lot easier. I'm seeing the right response from the players at the right time."
Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori felt that the UDRS system should be employed at every opportunity in international cricket and the Pakistan skipper concurs with his counterpart.
"I agree with Vettori. The UDRS should be used all over the world rather than just picking and choosing where and when it's used. I think the UDRS should be made compulsory in all international cricket, as I feel its of help to the umpires as well as to the cricketers."
The second and final Test match starts in Wellington on Saturday with Pakistan expecting to pick an unchanged line-up, whilst the hosts are expected to make a couple of changes to their starting eleven.
Speaking exclusively with PakPassion.net, successful skipper Misbah ul Haq, who has hit four half centuries since being appointed Test captain, expressed his delight at the all round performance in Hamilton, but also emphasised that there was still plenty of hard work ahead. In particular, he feels there were definite areas where the team can improve upon.
"Hamilton was really pleasing. The team went into the match full of confidence after the series in South Africa and the victory in Hamilton has further enhanced our confidence levels. Our aim is to improve further and perform even better in Wellington."
Going into the third day at Hamilton Pakistan found themselves in an extremely strong position, having bowled New Zealand out for 275 and were 230 for 4, with Asad Shafiq and the captain at the crease. Misbah though felt that looking back at the first Test, Pakistan should have managed a lead greater than the 92 they achieved in their first innings.
"I feel we are an improving unit in all areas of our cricket which is a very good sign. However one shouldn't sit back and not take note of areas of the game that I feel we can further improve upon. If you look at our batting in the first Test, a lot of us got starts and nobody went on to score a hundred. What I would like to see is for our batsmen, myself included, to ensure that we make full use of our good starts, and ensure that we bat for long periods; if a similar situation to Hamilton presents itself, we should ensure that we earn a bigger lead than 92. I really want our batsmen to make sure that the good starts are not wasted."
Pakistan took all the plaudits in the first Test, whilst the hosts came in for a fair amount of criticism from fans and press alike. However, with the series comprising just two Tests, the Kiwis will be looking to bounce back at Wellington and level the series, something that Misbah is fully aware of.
"Cricket is so fast nowadays that you rarely see a drawn test match, unless the wicket is really flat. Our best policy for the upcoming match at Wellington will be to go for a win, rather than just consolidate our one-nil lead. I want my team to perform well, play good cricket and look to wrap up the series two-nil. Also, I expect that the wicket at Wellington will be a "sporting track" and will give full value for the batsmen and bowlers and will likely be a result producing track. Our opponents no doubt will push us hard, as they will be going into the second test on the back of a heavy defeat and will of course be looking to level the series. We need to be wary of the fact that New Zealand will come hard at us. We will need to work even harder and ensure that we are even more focused in Wellington."
The current Pakistan squad boasts an array of experienced cricketers mixed with some exciting yet raw young talent. 36 year old Misbah who made his Test debut in New Zealand more than ten years ago reckons that the youngsters in the team are a very talented, responsible and committed bunch and feels that it's important for the senior players in the side to ensure that they are setting the right example for the youngsters.
"I'm really pleased with how the younger boys in the side have responded to the challenge. It is very important for senior and experienced players like myself to set a good example for the youngsters. However, it makes my life so much easier and it's very satisfying when I am given such a responsible and committed group. It is also heartening to listen to input from the younger boys in the squad in group discussions and they deserve credit for the responsibility and application they are showing."
Misbah's style of captaincy since he took over in the UAE series versus South Africa has received a lot of praise and many observers feel his cool and calculated style of leadership is ideal for the current Pakistan side. However, the SNGPL skipper feels that a lot of the credit should go to his team mates, rather than to any specific individual.
"Credit to all of the team for the fantastic way they have responded to me. I am hardly having to say anything to the side and everybody knows their role in the team. I'm seeing a great degree of professionalism and responsibility from all of the players which is fantastic and makes my job a lot easier. I'm seeing the right response from the players at the right time."
Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori felt that the UDRS system should be employed at every opportunity in international cricket and the Pakistan skipper concurs with his counterpart.
"I agree with Vettori. The UDRS should be used all over the world rather than just picking and choosing where and when it's used. I think the UDRS should be made compulsory in all international cricket, as I feel its of help to the umpires as well as to the cricketers."
The second and final Test match starts in Wellington on Saturday with Pakistan expecting to pick an unchanged line-up, whilst the hosts are expected to make a couple of changes to their starting eleven.