Misbah ul Haq brushes aside retirement talks, eyes Australia tour
Although aware of the heavy workload shouldered by his 4-man bowling attack, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has called for an improved showing from the pacers in the final Test against England.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Oval match, the 42-year old also brushed aside talks of his retirement as he did not want to expose younger personnel to the demanding year-end tours of New Zealand and Australia.
Misbah asserted, “I don’t have that sort of fear (of losing) otherwise I would have retired a long time ago. I am always up for challenges and never think of the results. I believe in trying hard and that is what I am here for. I will try my best if the team needs me in this Test match and if Pakistan needs me after that, that is another story. I will think about it after this series.“
He added, “It's tough to leave the team for these difficult tours, that's why I am here for this tough series. It will be a challenge for us in NZ and Australia. Australian tours are tough to handle. It could be harsh for someone young to replace me even for a batsman. Looking forward to that, let's see what happens after this series and how I plan my future.”
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Despite beginning the 4-match series with a victory at Lord’s, Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the subsequent Tests and handed over the advantage to England. However, Misbah rallied hard for one last fightback from the visitors.
The right-hander felt, “They have the momentum but we believe we can come back because this is a do or die Test match for us. We have to really play well. We need to combine all the performances like we did at Lord’s. Performances are there but we are not translating them into a victory.“
One of his concerns would revolve around the rather sedate fast bowling unit, an antithesis to their philosophy. Mindful of the difference that a fifth option could have, he hoped for a better display from the pacers.
Misbah maintained, “It’s difficult. We normally play three Test matches in a series and in our own conditions fast bowlers don’t have to bowl much. When you come to these conditions and they have to bowl more than 20 overs every day, it is not easy for them. It’s tough for them to recover with that big workload. But, these fast bowlers need to really step up and show what they are made of in this last Test match.”