Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq believes that all the players have to move forward as a team as in international cricket there are problems for teams who fail to perform as a unit. Talking to journalists here at the start of the camp training of the Zimbabwe bound Pakistan team, Misbah said that no series is easy for any team and the way Zimbabwe showed maturity recently, warning shots were sent to others. “The way Zimbabwe performed we should not take them easily and for that I want my team to take full advantage of the series and play up to their potential,” he added.
On their return to Test cricket after five years, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in the only Test and are 2-0 ahead in the ongoing five-match one-day series.
“If we don’t play together or sit relaxed then there would be problems for us. The players selected in the team are equally good and have been picked after giving performance at all levels of the game. So it would be early to judge them before watching them perform in the series.”
“You can’t take any team for granted and we need to be well prepared for the series,” he added. Misbah further said that there is always a need for bringing in new players in place of seniors. “With the departure of senior players, we need to try different combinations to find proper replacements. But the selection is always made with the mutual understanding of the captain, the coach the selection committee,” he said.
Pakistan have surprisingly rested frontline pacemen Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul, and dropped Tanveer Ahmed. The selectors recalled Sohail Tanveer and Sohail Khan, and included new fast bowlers Junaid Khan and uncapped Aizaz Cheema.
“And as I said before, Sohail Khan, Aizaz Cheema and Yasir Shah have made the team after performing at domestic and international circuit,” he also said.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, Pakistan’s successful bowler in the West Indies on their last tour, is also rested in favour of uncapped leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
Pakistan will play a two-day practice match in Bulawayo from August 28, then a Test at the same venue from September 1, which will be followed by three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s on the tour.
