Batting remains a cause for concern for Misbah ahead of the opening ODI - Cricket News Update
The captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Misbah-ul-Haq has urged his batsmen to take the onus of responsibility and to demonstrate stability and consistency in the limited overs series against England starting at Abu Dhabi today, February 13, 2012.
Speaking to media reporters ahead of the opening One Day International against England, Misbah said that he was satisfied with the performance of the bowlers, both the spinners and the pacers. But there is inconsistency on part of the Pakistani batting line-up
which is a cause for concern, and he fears a strong come back from the English in the ODI series.
"I think the batting has to be more stable and consistent,” said Misbah speaking to media at the pre-match press conference on Sunday evening. “England might have lost the Test series but they will be a different side in the one-day series and we can't take
them lightly," he added further.
Even though Pakistan whitewashed the English team in the Test series, the batsmen did not perform up to the mark. Their bowling on the other hand was simply outstanding with spinners, Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, leading from the front. The return of flamboyant
all-rounder, Shahid Afridi has further boosted the spin bowling department of Pakistan.
Misbah was happy to have Afridi back in the side. The 37-year-old middle order batsman urged the batsmen to score more consistently in a bid to continue their dominance over the formidable England side.
"Our bowling is top class we have quality pacers and top spinners. Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal are outstanding ODI bowlers," Misbah said.
"But against a top side like England our batsmen need to click more consistency. Most of them have been playing in the UAE conditions for sometime now. They should be better adjusted to score runs consistently," the Pakistan skipper said.
Misbah was satisfied with the performance of his side in Friday’s ODI match against Afghanistan. He said that the hard fought match against the ICC affiliates was a good warm up game for his side ahead of the ODI series against England.
He also praised the young Afghan batsmen for not letting Saeed Ajmal dominate them. Once again it was Shahid Afridi who bailed the side out with a five wicket haul.