Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
Misbah-ul-Haq at a presser regarding the squad for the 1st Test against Bangladesh:
“We have followed the horses for courses policy for the Test against Bangladesh. I know the two players who have been left out will be disappointed, but they remain firmly within our plans for the red-ball cricket we are scheduled to play later this year.
“Kashif Bhatti has paved the way for Bilal Asif considering there are left-handed batters in the Bangladesh top and middle-order, while Faheem Ashraf has been preferred over Usman Shinwari due to his all-round abilities.
“Following our convincing victory in Karachi, I don’t envisage any major changes in the playing line-up but we have tried to cover all our bases just in case the wicket has any surprises for us.
“We ended 2019 on a high with a victory over Sri Lanka and have made a good start to 2020 by winning the T20I series against Bangladesh. I understand the Test will be a different ball game but I am optimistic we will maintain our good form and translate that into another strong performance that will contribute significantly in the overall confidence building of the Test side.
“We are aiming to collect maximum points from the two upcoming ICC World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh so that when we take the field for the Lord’s Test against England on 30 July, we are in a strong contention for a top-two finish by the end of the 2020-21 season. This is what our aspiration is and that’s what are aiming and striving for.
"The last series and Test went well for us. The Test team is in good shape after beating Sri Lanka. We have a different opponent in BD and there aren't too many changes. We have 2 changes depending on conditions and the combination we are looking at, looking at their batting lineup. They are likely to have a few left-handers.
"In Pindi we played with 4 pacers, if we get similar conditions then if we have an all-rounder if we want 5 bowlers then we have an option now.
"Bilal Asif is brought in keeping left-handers in mind to give us a different option. Kashif Bhatti is doing well but Yasir and Bilal provide a combination that can help us to deal with a side with left-handers.
"We didn't ignore Bilal Asif previously. In September we had a camp and he was in that camp and he has been at NCA also and has been bowling with Mushy bhai. So these players are in the pool and you pick them according to the conditions and see which players you want to utilise. We don't have any other off-spinners right now and Bilal Asif has been performing well also and has been picked, looking at the opposition. Going forward also, we will utilise players when we can give them chances.
"Kashif is a part of the team but this decision is taken based on the opposition. He is bowling well and is performing well, his fitness has improved. We went with a different bowler alongside Yasir but Bhatti is part of our plans.
"We aren't holding back (from introducing new players for Tests). We have a lot of players shortlisted but in Tests, you try to have some experience in your team. Wherever we need youngsters, we bring them in, like in the bowling department. In batting, we have a settled batting lineup that is performing thus we aren't making many changes but are also focusing on our backup and we have called up some players who performed well (for camp).
"After PSL when season ends, during the 2-month period, we will call up players and train them properly and give them chances so that we can see who we can utilise and where.
"It's very difficult (to have 2nd Test after 2 months). It's a big problem, not for me but for the players. The player who has played a Test and makes a hundred, then has to wait for a month or 2 then he has to start again. When you play then you should get to play 3-4 Tests, or back to back series. That helps the rhythm of the team. When you have a 3-4 week break then you have to start again and that's difficult for everyone.
"You have a squad of 16 so that you utilise players as per the requirement of the team. 11 play, not 16 so often unfortunately the bench strength isn't tested. Then we are also playing every Test match as part of the Test Championship so we try to play our best XI, we can't really think about making changes to see things. The players on the bench are good but can only be played when there is a spot available for them.
"There is no guarantee about anything, if a team doesn't perform well in one format or if a team has struggled previously doesn't mean they won't give you tough competition. In every match and series, you need to expect tough competition and you have to try to play your best cricket. Sometimes teams don't have anything to lose and play without pressure. We can't relax at any point, if we want to get somewhere in the Test Championship then we have to try and win all of the remaining Test matches.
"In the last series, we felt that if we consider our wicket-keeper as the 6th batsman, if we have a bowler who can bat at 7 then we have the option of that combination. Faheem Ashraf was unfit earlier and didn't play for much of the QEA Trophy but he got 5 wickets in the final and has contributed with the bat. So such a combination can help us. But we also have in our minds that he should offer a complete bowling option and should be good enough as a bowler.
"We are more focused on our own team rather than the opposition. The way we played in the last series against SL, we need to try and do that. We need to be positive with our batting and be aggressive with our bowling. We need to bring more improvements in these aspects.
"In Salman Butt's position, we have openers who are both performing. You can only bring in players when there is a spot available. (Regarding Kamran Akmal) Rizwan has been making runs, he made runs in QEA and also in Australia so that position is not available right now. When you have players performing already in some areas then you have to wait before picking others.
"Regarding Shinwari, we wanted to add an all-rounder in the team and that would have to be in place of a fast-bowler. We have 3 pacers playing, Shaheen, Abbas and Naseem. If we play a 4th pacer then it will be an all-rounder, thus we picked Faheem Ashraf.
"We will see the conditions then decide on the combination. We brought Fawad into the team to increase the strength of the team, he is a strong option whenever he gets to play, he is a performer.
"Wickets weren't up to the mark in our domestic cricket and we have reservations about pitches but our staff is trying their best. Andy Atkinson also came in and worked with us. This season is nearing its end but for next season, we want to try and make sure this problem is resolved. It's important to have good wickets to develop cricketers and we are thinking about this seriously and taking the required steps. I am hopeful that there will be a lot of improvement in this aspect next season."
“We have followed the horses for courses policy for the Test against Bangladesh. I know the two players who have been left out will be disappointed, but they remain firmly within our plans for the red-ball cricket we are scheduled to play later this year.
“Kashif Bhatti has paved the way for Bilal Asif considering there are left-handed batters in the Bangladesh top and middle-order, while Faheem Ashraf has been preferred over Usman Shinwari due to his all-round abilities.
“Following our convincing victory in Karachi, I don’t envisage any major changes in the playing line-up but we have tried to cover all our bases just in case the wicket has any surprises for us.
“We ended 2019 on a high with a victory over Sri Lanka and have made a good start to 2020 by winning the T20I series against Bangladesh. I understand the Test will be a different ball game but I am optimistic we will maintain our good form and translate that into another strong performance that will contribute significantly in the overall confidence building of the Test side.
“We are aiming to collect maximum points from the two upcoming ICC World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh so that when we take the field for the Lord’s Test against England on 30 July, we are in a strong contention for a top-two finish by the end of the 2020-21 season. This is what our aspiration is and that’s what are aiming and striving for.
"The last series and Test went well for us. The Test team is in good shape after beating Sri Lanka. We have a different opponent in BD and there aren't too many changes. We have 2 changes depending on conditions and the combination we are looking at, looking at their batting lineup. They are likely to have a few left-handers.
"In Pindi we played with 4 pacers, if we get similar conditions then if we have an all-rounder if we want 5 bowlers then we have an option now.
"Bilal Asif is brought in keeping left-handers in mind to give us a different option. Kashif Bhatti is doing well but Yasir and Bilal provide a combination that can help us to deal with a side with left-handers.
"We didn't ignore Bilal Asif previously. In September we had a camp and he was in that camp and he has been at NCA also and has been bowling with Mushy bhai. So these players are in the pool and you pick them according to the conditions and see which players you want to utilise. We don't have any other off-spinners right now and Bilal Asif has been performing well also and has been picked, looking at the opposition. Going forward also, we will utilise players when we can give them chances.
"Kashif is a part of the team but this decision is taken based on the opposition. He is bowling well and is performing well, his fitness has improved. We went with a different bowler alongside Yasir but Bhatti is part of our plans.
"We aren't holding back (from introducing new players for Tests). We have a lot of players shortlisted but in Tests, you try to have some experience in your team. Wherever we need youngsters, we bring them in, like in the bowling department. In batting, we have a settled batting lineup that is performing thus we aren't making many changes but are also focusing on our backup and we have called up some players who performed well (for camp).
"After PSL when season ends, during the 2-month period, we will call up players and train them properly and give them chances so that we can see who we can utilise and where.
"It's very difficult (to have 2nd Test after 2 months). It's a big problem, not for me but for the players. The player who has played a Test and makes a hundred, then has to wait for a month or 2 then he has to start again. When you play then you should get to play 3-4 Tests, or back to back series. That helps the rhythm of the team. When you have a 3-4 week break then you have to start again and that's difficult for everyone.
"You have a squad of 16 so that you utilise players as per the requirement of the team. 11 play, not 16 so often unfortunately the bench strength isn't tested. Then we are also playing every Test match as part of the Test Championship so we try to play our best XI, we can't really think about making changes to see things. The players on the bench are good but can only be played when there is a spot available for them.
"There is no guarantee about anything, if a team doesn't perform well in one format or if a team has struggled previously doesn't mean they won't give you tough competition. In every match and series, you need to expect tough competition and you have to try to play your best cricket. Sometimes teams don't have anything to lose and play without pressure. We can't relax at any point, if we want to get somewhere in the Test Championship then we have to try and win all of the remaining Test matches.
"In the last series, we felt that if we consider our wicket-keeper as the 6th batsman, if we have a bowler who can bat at 7 then we have the option of that combination. Faheem Ashraf was unfit earlier and didn't play for much of the QEA Trophy but he got 5 wickets in the final and has contributed with the bat. So such a combination can help us. But we also have in our minds that he should offer a complete bowling option and should be good enough as a bowler.
"We are more focused on our own team rather than the opposition. The way we played in the last series against SL, we need to try and do that. We need to be positive with our batting and be aggressive with our bowling. We need to bring more improvements in these aspects.
"In Salman Butt's position, we have openers who are both performing. You can only bring in players when there is a spot available. (Regarding Kamran Akmal) Rizwan has been making runs, he made runs in QEA and also in Australia so that position is not available right now. When you have players performing already in some areas then you have to wait before picking others.
"Regarding Shinwari, we wanted to add an all-rounder in the team and that would have to be in place of a fast-bowler. We have 3 pacers playing, Shaheen, Abbas and Naseem. If we play a 4th pacer then it will be an all-rounder, thus we picked Faheem Ashraf.
"We will see the conditions then decide on the combination. We brought Fawad into the team to increase the strength of the team, he is a strong option whenever he gets to play, he is a performer.
"Wickets weren't up to the mark in our domestic cricket and we have reservations about pitches but our staff is trying their best. Andy Atkinson also came in and worked with us. This season is nearing its end but for next season, we want to try and make sure this problem is resolved. It's important to have good wickets to develop cricketers and we are thinking about this seriously and taking the required steps. I am hopeful that there will be a lot of improvement in this aspect next season."
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