Misbah calls for batsmen to step up

2015 World Cup

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has called for his team, especially the batsmen, to focus ahead of their crucial World Cup Pool B clash against the West Indies at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday.

Both teams come into the match on the back of demoralising defeats, Pakistan lost to rivals India and the Windies lost to Associate side Ireland.

In Pakistan's defeat to India, the batting was a particular concern with a dramatic collapse leading to India winning quite comfortably. Skipper Misbah was the only batsman to show any application, with a fighting knock of 76.

Ahead of the showdown with the men from the Caribbean, Misbah said: "This is an important game, and both teams need to win. We know that."

The skipper has been relied upon in the last few years to save his side from desperate situations, but he warned the players that they all have to take responsibility.

The 40-year-old Misbah said: "It doesn't mean that all the time it should be me. It should be two other guys out of six or seven batsmen that are playing.

"This is how normally how cricket is being played. Every time all seven batsmen don't perform and maybe two or three just score runs and you just win the game.

"The guys who are not at the moment performing, we know that they are good enough players, and they can just come to the party in the next games."

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