Misbah: We’re ready for Herath this time

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Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is sure that his batsmen are well prepared to face Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath in the first Test in Galle, saying they would not be repeating 2014's mistakes.

Last time the sides played in Galle, in August last year, Herath took nine wickets, six in the second innings, and turned a dull draw into a seven-wicket win for he hosts. Misbah is sure this will not happen again.

The skipper said confidently: "We have an answer for Hearth this time as everybody is working hard on how to defend him. 

"In the past we really played him well except in the last series in Sri Lanka…sometimes bowler takes the edge, or sometimes batsman. But we are looking on a plan on how to handle him and how we should apply ourselves against him. 

"We only struggled because he got a good hold of the conditions and it's important for us to play him well to get a better result. The more we play him well, more we have a chance to do better against them.

"It's always tough for any team to win here as the spin is the only difference. Earlier they had [Muttiah] Muralitharan, their leading wicket-taker, who did wonders for them and now Herath. 

"So the spin bowling is the main reason we have been struggling. It's very important for us to deal [well] with spin on this tour to make the best result. Taking 20 wickets here is also one concern for us and we are working in this area to do something different this time."

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