Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq looks on during a nets session at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Misbah-ul-Haq confident about Pakistan’s chances against Proteas

Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq believes Pakistan are more than capable of beating the Proteas on their own soil in the upcoming ODI and T20 series.

Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq looks on during a nets session at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq believes Pakistan are more than capable of beating the Proteas on their own soil in the upcoming limited-overs series.

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Pakistan are currently in South Africa preparing to take on the hosts in three ODIs and four T20Is with the first 50-over encounter taking place in Centurion on Friday.

The Proteas lost the Test and T20 series when they toured Pakistan earlier this year and Misbah is confident his players will adapt to the conditions in South Africa.

The Pakistan mentor said: “I think especially with white-ball cricket, the pitches are very good, they’re true pitches, with good bounce and pace and for batters.

“In white-ball cricket, it is easier to adjust to these conditions and you get good value for shots. Obviously Pakistan has also always had the luxury of good fast bowlers. That is the reason Pakistan has done well here.

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“No doubt South Africa are very good, they know their conditions well. But I think these conditions help Pakistan as a whole, the batsmen especially.

“And obviously, there’s something psychological as well, when a team has done well here before, it helps moving forward as well to perform.

“As a batsman you enjoy that, you get full value for your shots. Previously, in this team, some of the players have played here and performed – Imam [ul-Haq], Babar [Azam], Fakhar [Zaman] was here.

“These players love that pace and bounce, now [Mohammad] Rizwan is in form, a very good backfoot player. Those previous series and experiences definitely count, they play a role in your confidence as a player and team.”

The three ODIs and four T20Is will be played in Centurion and the Wanderers as both teams are in a bio-secure bubble in Gauteng.

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