Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
"After the two series (vs SL, Aus), we realised that we need experience in the team" : Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah-ul-Haq at a presser after the third T20I against Bangladesh was washed out:
"I think that the most important thing for us was to win. When you lose 2 series and even before, you were losing T20s, it was very important for the team to win.
"We should give credit to the bowling, for the way the young bowlers bowled. They didn't give BD a chance to get into a position from where they can threaten us. It's a good performance and for Pakistan cricket, it's good.
"For WC preparations, we have a lot of time. We have PSL and more cricket going forward. We will have challenges going forward and we have time to prepare.
"You play to win and you try to perform as well as you can, it's important to give yourself breathing space. But we have to still look at the shortcomings in the team and where we need to strengthen. Under pressure, you keep running after things and sometimes it's difficult to catch up. So it's good for the team and for me, and for the young players, that we have a confidence booster and we can relax a bit and think about the future.
"Whenever these 2 seniors weren't in the team, whenever I was asked or anyone was asked, I always said that there's no question of their careers being ended or them not being considered going forward. We did try our resources in the SL and Aus series to see where we stand, after the 2 series (against SL, AUS) we realised that we need experience in the team.
"Babar also backed them and the experience benefitted us. Malik and Hafeez played good innings. So the door isn't closed for anyone. Regarding policy, until a player is fit and performing and we think he can contribute, he should be in the team and you can utilise them specially with a World Cup around the corner. Their form is good and their fitness is good, the fitness test results were also improved. So for the team's benefit, there's no issue with including seniors.
"We will keep everything in mind when we are making a team for the T20 World Cup. Obviously, PSL will be very important for us. The hitters who were in the team previously couldn't perform that well. We then brought Khushdil and Iftikhar in the team. We have these options.
"Those 2 series gave us an idea of what happens when you don't play experienced players. We have a problem that we keep just fast-bowling in mind and we judge our senior players on that basis. But if we look, leg-spin and mystery spin is available in every team. So our new players, unfortunately as we saw in the SL series, are struggling to pick the spinners and play them. Even in Australia, teams play with 2 spinners and in the middle overs, it's important to have players like this.
"At the top, you need hitters and aggressive players and also in the lower order, you need hitters. But in the middle overs against spinners also, you need these type of players. PSL will be very important to see how players perform and we can see who fits in our plans and where.
"We were planning on playing all of the players on the bench today. We weren't playing them for the sake of it, we were looking to maintain a balanced team and keep the nucleus of the team. Amad Butt, Usman Qadir, Musa Khan would have played the match. Unfortunately, they'll have to wait and didn't get the opportunity today.
"There's a lot of cricket to be played. Our plan is to look at PSL performances, fitness, form etc. which will all come in front. After 24 April, we have around 2 months' time where there's no matches or domestic cricket. Our plan is to get performers together in that time and play matches and then decide who stands where and fits in the combination. Then we will make a final team, before we start going on tours and then head for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.
"The point of looking at PSL is that you get to see the performances and you can analyse where players fit in and where we need players in the team. Then we grind further in the matches we will play, then decide on the squad. In domestic cricket, there is lesser pressure. In PSL, at some level you can say that with media and international players, the standard comes a bit closer to international cricket. The temperament of a player can be checked there and then finally, the requirement of the team. Then you can pick the player and ready them.
"There's no such thing (that Islamabad United players will be given preference). What's important for us is that the Pakistan team is strong. If I pick an IU player, I am not getting his match fees, nor will his records go in my name. All the players are equal for me. If a strong team is formed for Pakistan with good players, I think that's best for us and the thing that will get us the most respect. Yes, it's true that by being a part of PSL, I will get to see the players closely as all the players will face my team, so you can see everything closely and see which player is capable and what can he do.
Misbah-ul-Haq at a presser after the third T20I against Bangladesh was washed out:
"I think that the most important thing for us was to win. When you lose 2 series and even before, you were losing T20s, it was very important for the team to win.
"We should give credit to the bowling, for the way the young bowlers bowled. They didn't give BD a chance to get into a position from where they can threaten us. It's a good performance and for Pakistan cricket, it's good.
"For WC preparations, we have a lot of time. We have PSL and more cricket going forward. We will have challenges going forward and we have time to prepare.
"You play to win and you try to perform as well as you can, it's important to give yourself breathing space. But we have to still look at the shortcomings in the team and where we need to strengthen. Under pressure, you keep running after things and sometimes it's difficult to catch up. So it's good for the team and for me, and for the young players, that we have a confidence booster and we can relax a bit and think about the future.
"Whenever these 2 seniors weren't in the team, whenever I was asked or anyone was asked, I always said that there's no question of their careers being ended or them not being considered going forward. We did try our resources in the SL and Aus series to see where we stand, after the 2 series (against SL, AUS) we realised that we need experience in the team.
"Babar also backed them and the experience benefitted us. Malik and Hafeez played good innings. So the door isn't closed for anyone. Regarding policy, until a player is fit and performing and we think he can contribute, he should be in the team and you can utilise them specially with a World Cup around the corner. Their form is good and their fitness is good, the fitness test results were also improved. So for the team's benefit, there's no issue with including seniors.
"We will keep everything in mind when we are making a team for the T20 World Cup. Obviously, PSL will be very important for us. The hitters who were in the team previously couldn't perform that well. We then brought Khushdil and Iftikhar in the team. We have these options.
"Those 2 series gave us an idea of what happens when you don't play experienced players. We have a problem that we keep just fast-bowling in mind and we judge our senior players on that basis. But if we look, leg-spin and mystery spin is available in every team. So our new players, unfortunately as we saw in the SL series, are struggling to pick the spinners and play them. Even in Australia, teams play with 2 spinners and in the middle overs, it's important to have players like this.
"At the top, you need hitters and aggressive players and also in the lower order, you need hitters. But in the middle overs against spinners also, you need these type of players. PSL will be very important to see how players perform and we can see who fits in our plans and where.
"We were planning on playing all of the players on the bench today. We weren't playing them for the sake of it, we were looking to maintain a balanced team and keep the nucleus of the team. Amad Butt, Usman Qadir, Musa Khan would have played the match. Unfortunately, they'll have to wait and didn't get the opportunity today.
"There's a lot of cricket to be played. Our plan is to look at PSL performances, fitness, form etc. which will all come in front. After 24 April, we have around 2 months' time where there's no matches or domestic cricket. Our plan is to get performers together in that time and play matches and then decide who stands where and fits in the combination. Then we will make a final team, before we start going on tours and then head for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.
"The point of looking at PSL is that you get to see the performances and you can analyse where players fit in and where we need players in the team. Then we grind further in the matches we will play, then decide on the squad. In domestic cricket, there is lesser pressure. In PSL, at some level you can say that with media and international players, the standard comes a bit closer to international cricket. The temperament of a player can be checked there and then finally, the requirement of the team. Then you can pick the player and ready them.
"There's no such thing (that Islamabad United players will be given preference). What's important for us is that the Pakistan team is strong. If I pick an IU player, I am not getting his match fees, nor will his records go in my name. All the players are equal for me. If a strong team is formed for Pakistan with good players, I think that's best for us and the thing that will get us the most respect. Yes, it's true that by being a part of PSL, I will get to see the players closely as all the players will face my team, so you can see everything closely and see which player is capable and what can he do.
