Pakistan’s Misbah-ul Haq on Tuesday cautioned against a drastic overhaul in personnel after one-day and Twenty20 losses against England, warning that change for change’s sake could be damaging in the long-run. Misbah failed to guide Pakistan to victory from a winning position in the third and final T20 here on Monday, as England fought their way to a sensational five-run win to take the three-match series 2-1. That followed England’s 4-0 drubbing of Pakistan in the one-day series, leaving question marks on Misbah’s handling of the team and disgruntled fans chanting slogans against him.
Former Pakistan cricketing greats have also called for separate captains for Tests and limited overs.
Misbah, who previously guided Pakistan to a 3-0 Test series win against England, said he understood fans’ frustrations but the limited overs defeats needed to be assessed dispassionately by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the selection committee. “I think we need to take this decision only after assessing our resources and if you have those resources then do that,” he said.
“But if you don’t have quality cricketers then it will harm. If you change for the sake of change it will not help.”
Chasing a modest 130, Pakistan were cruising and needed 23 off the last three overs, 17 off the last two and 13 off the last but first Umar Akmal (22) and then Misbah (28) got out, leaving Pakistan agonisingly short. Misbah said Pakistan should not overreact to the defeat. “All those who watch are sentimental and they talk like this. You analyse by sitting down and if you have a replacement for a player then you replace him. Drastic changes will not help,” he added. Pakistan are likely to bring in former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore to replace Mohsin Khan as coach. Their next assignment will be the Asia Cup in Dhaka next month, where they face one-day world champions India, as well as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Misbah said he was disappointed by the series defeats but all the players were responsible. “I think we did try our best but England came back strongly in the last three overs. Credit must be given to them. I think we are responsible…
“We should have finished the match but we had no answer to their good bowling. Stuart Broad gave just four runs in the penultimate over while Jade Dernbach successfully defended 13 in the last.
