Pakistan’s Test and ODI Captain Misbah-ul-Haq spoke to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on the 3rd day of the training camp for the team’s preparations for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

By Amir Husain (May 18th 2012)

Pakistan’s Test and ODI Captain Misbah-ul-Haq spoke to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on the 3rd day of the training camp for the team’s preparations for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Following are some main points of his remarks to the press:


Pressure on self due to captaincy in different formats:

In general. the pressures remain the same – its just the format is different. Fact is that you can only play properly only when you enjoy it. I will obviously focus on the 2 formats that I am charged to look after. This will allow me time to focus on the performance of the team as well as on my own game. So, I feel, that the pressure on myself will be less than before.


Involvement or advisory role in management of T20 Team

As far as advice is concerned, I will make myself available to the team and management as and when needed. However, this depends on the captain of the team as to how he wants to take his team forward. Like I said, my input will be available as needed by the captain, management or selection committee.


Umar Akmal and his desire to be promoted in the batting order

How many batsmen can play up the order? The media has been telling me to bat up the order at No 3 - with Younis Khan to play No 3 as well and Umar to play No 4! It’s really down to the team combination – it’s a “format” based upon each player’s natural ability. The player is given a role and he plays according to that role. The player plays according to the demands of the team, not according to one’s personal preferences! The player adjusts his game based on requirements of the team.


On his reported “retirement” from T20 format

Look, my statement was very clear. No point asking me over and over again. It was a quite clear in my statement. Ofcourse, T20 is a very popular global format that I will continue playing. Whether, a player deserves a place in an international T20 team is a question best left for the Selection Committee


Effect of not playing International cricket for the past 2 months on performance in Sri Lanka

It does have an effect but the 4 matches that are scheduled for the coming week have been planned for this exact reason. The idea is to get the team back into action and to get them some match practice. I think that these matches will make a difference and provide some good match practice for the team. We have been playing non-stop cricket for a long period so this gap is actually useful for the players. In this camp, we have done some intensive training while working on our drawbacks and areas of improvement.


Advice offered to Hafeez as a senior player

Hafeez and I have always had a very good understanding - not only with Hafeez but with all other players in the team. The team never takes a decision based on one person’s opinion. Team strategy and decisions are based upon the input of players and the Coach. I have heard this criticism that some strange decisions are taken but they are based upon input of all. As for interaction with Hafeez, I have interacted a lot with him and will continue to do so in the future.


The challenge of beating Sri Lanka in their own “backyard”

Sri Lanka are a tough team [to beat] in any country! And they have been a very tough opponent to beat due to home conditions. They perform very well at home but based on our past performance in Sri Lanka and elsewhere [UAE] as well as our team formation, we are confident that we will perform well against them.


On Hafeez’s comments about the disadvantage of not playing IPL

As I have stated before, the 4 matches that have been planned will be very helpful for us. Each player should utilize these opportunities as this is very good quality practice for playing International cricket with similar scenarios and competitive teams involved. The 2 T20 and 2 ODI games are tremendous practice games which should give us a similar exposure as an international game.


Any changes in the quality of fielding/fitness due to introduction of Julien Fountain

If you look at all Pakistani coaches of the past such as Waqar and Ijaz – you will note that they all worked hard on this aspect. Julien is moving forward with the same idea. There has been an improvement over the last 2-3 years. There is a distinct improvement in fitness levels and in fielding due to introduction of youngsters. In summary there have already been improvements and this trend will continue in the future.