Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq speak during a Pakistan Nets Session at Emirates Old Trafford on August 03, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Pakistan need to hit the ground running in England – Misbah
Misbah has urged his Pakistan side to get off to a flying start in their Test series with England, saying they must be at their best ‘right from the word go’.
Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq speak during a Pakistan Nets Session at Emirates Old Trafford on August 03, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Pakistan coach Misbah Ul Haq says that his team will need to be on the money from the word go if they are to achieve their goals in the Test series against England.
Pakistan need to be switched on from the word go
The tourists come into the match with only a handful of intra-squad matches as warm-up whilc England’s squad have just seen off the West Indies in the first Test series after lockdown.
Pakistan have a bit of recent history on their side though with England losing the opener in eight of their past ten Test series.
Misbah said his team will approach the first Test at Old Trafford as a must-win. For the first time in an English Test summer the same venue will play host to a third successive Test when Pakistan visit Old Trafford.
“We should be ready for an England team that have already had three matches of experience and they won their last two Test matches,” Misbah said two days removed from the series opener in Manchester.
“We have to really come in this Test series right from the word ‘go’ at our best if we want to win a Test series or a Test match here.
“We are aware that England have a slight advantage but if we are alert and go 100 per cent in the first Test match, that is the only way we can beat England, otherwise we will find ourselves in difficulty.”
Team’s fate in the batsmen’s hands
Misbah showed great faith in Pakistan’s batting lineup which has let them down on recent tours to seam-bowling territory.
The coach feels that the top-order are in good touch and are capable of piling on the runs.
“Shan Masood, Abid Ali scored centuries in previous series (at home to Bangladesh in February and at home to Sri Lanka in December). Conditions are different but still confidence plays a huge role in your mind when you’re coming from a series where you scored runs.
“Azhar (Ali) got a hundred (too, against Sri Lanka).
“In 2016 Asad Shafiq scored runs here, Babar Azam last time performed here in 2018 (when Pakistan drew a two-match series in England 1-1) and the way he’s batting at the moment, he’s confident and playing well,” Misbah added.
Pakistan have won their last two series but haven’t played since their victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in February.
“It’s a challenge for us against an experienced and very good seam attack of England but I think we’ve got potential,” said Misbah.
“Mentally at the moment the guys are in good shape because they are coming from good performances.
“When you are confident mentally and in good shape, then you always can deliver on the field.”
