Pakistan looking forward to bigger challenges
Pakistan's Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq looked forward to his team's
bigger challenges ahead after thumping England 2-0 in the three-match
series in Sharjah on Thursday, saying wins on away tours matter.
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Pakistan’s Yasir Shah (R) and Zulfiqar Babar pose with the
winning trophy at the end of the fifth and last day of the
third Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at The
Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the Gulf Emirate of Sharjah. AFP |
The series win lifted Pakistan to number two in the Test rankings but
Misbah said it will be how they perform on away tours which will make
his team greater.
"I think our biggest challenge is to play abroad so we have to get
ready for that and prepare for that," said Misbah of Pakistan's tours to
England in July next year followed by visits to New Zealand and
Australia.
Misbah said his team needed to prepare for the four Test tour of
England as of now.
"We have achieved a big and satisfying win against England but we
have to forget that and from now on really prepare for the tough
challenges as we have to plan differently on tours," said Misbah, who
remains undecided over his own Test future.
"There has been a lot of talk on that," said Misbah who had hinted
retiring from Test cricket after the England series. "Obviously I have
some time to think about that, at the moment not sure about that.
"Let's see, we have enough time for the next series and I can just
rethink and plan what I am going to do in the next two three months,"
said Misbah, who admitted it will be tough to motivate himself after
only playing one format. "Obviously the hunger is there. I love the game
and want to play it.
The one thing that is difficult is when you are not playing any
competitive cricket for six to eight months and suddenly you come and
play against top players, that is the period where you need to motivate
yourself, if you do then it's good."
Misbah admitted England proved tough opponents, coming close to an
upset win in the first Test and delaying Pakistan's wins in the last two
Tests until the fifth day.
"I think as far as the win is concerned this is great because England
is one of the top teams and the way they have been playing after winning
the Ashes and they put up good fight in all three Tests, so its
satisfying to win", he said.
Pakistan, defending a 284-run target, needed eight wickets on
Thursday morning. They grabbed four inside the first hour before
Alastair Cook (62) and Adil Rashid (22) put on a valiant 49-run stand
for the seventh wicket.
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