Misbah: ODI specialists will boost Pakistan
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is confident of a good performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka this week, despite losing the Test series, saying they have a fresh squad and some specialist players.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is confident of a good performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka this week, despite losing the Test series, saying they have a fresh squad and some specialist players.
Sri Lanka won the Tests two-nil, but the Pakistan ODI squad is quite different from that side, with Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Zulfiqur Babar available, and the skipper feels they will be valuable inclusions.
Misbah said: "We have got a specialist one-day side and that will mentally boost us in the field. Most of the players have adapted themselves according to the format and they know exactly what is required to shift their focus from Test to ODI.
"There are a lot of changes in the ODI squad and our specialist players are in really good touch and they know their role and understand what to do."
One player leaving a big hole in the side is spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is in Australia to have his action assessed after being reported for chucking. But Misbah hopes the other bowlers will fill the void.
He said: "It will be a big miss. His exclusion is crucial but at the same time it will be a chance for others to stand up and fulfill what normally Ajmal provides us.
"Everyone is capable and they have to put some effort so that we don't feel his absence."
One bowler who could provide some wickets is paceman Mohammad Irfan, who has not played in nearly a year after picking up a hip fracture. He is expected to play if Junaid Khan is not fit after his concussion.
The skipper said: "He [Irfan] is a big factor. He is the kind of bowler who can really trouble the batsmen from any team. He was fit and in good shape.
"He hasn't played any competitive cricket recently but he played some T20 cricket back home. So he can give us an advantage."
Latest
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup result: Scotland pip Bangladesh in thriller
Scotland have made a sensational start to the T20 World Cup.
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup result: Oman wallop PNG in opener
Oman won the opening match of the T20 World Cup by ten wickets.
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup: Bangladesh vs Scotland – live scores
Bangladesh won the toss and put Scotland in to bat.
-
T20 World CupGive them the finger: Virat Kohli explains India’s spin shift
Virat Kohli has defended the decision to recall Ravichandran Ashwin for the T20 World Cup.
-
T20 World CupVarun Chakravarthy ‘the main guy’ in the India bowling attack
Varun Chakravarthy could be about to dazzle the world in the UAE.
-
T20 World CupJosh Little: Ireland want to show what they are made of at T20 World Cup
The Dublin-born seamer is not afraid to ruffle feathers at the tournament
-
EnglandEbony Rainford-Brent astonished at growth of ACE diversity programme
The ACE project has branched out of south London into Birmingham and Bristol, with Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds are also being explored.
-
T20 World CupIndia players must win it for Virat Kohli says Suresh Raina
‘Do it for Virat Kohli’ is Suresh Raina’s message to India before the T20 World Cup.
-
The AshesStuart Broad: England bowlers must be ‘relentless’ in Australia
Broad believes fast-medium bowlers can thrive in the Ashes.
-
T20 World CupWilliamson hails match-winning quality on show at T20 World Cup
The Black Caps captain says that the tournament is wide open.