Fixing scandal no more in our minds: Misbah

Pakistan cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Saturday said that Pakistan will have an advantage this time in the series against England in UAE and expressed optimism to perform well to earn laurel for the country. To a query, Misbah said that Pakistan had thoroughly dispelled all thoughts of the spot-fixing scandal that engulfed his side, ahead of the series against England.
---- Pakistan have advantage in the series against England
"The Pakistan team has already proved a lot and the scandal is no more in our minds," he said, adding: "It's quite clear now that nobody has kept that scandal on his mind and everyone is just focusing on cricket and will do the same in this series by focusing on cricket."
"We know the conditions in the UAE, as we have played a lot there so we have become used to the venues there so that will definitely be an advantage for us," Misbah said while talking to reporters at the conclusion of a training camp in Lahore. Misbah said: "England is a very professional team and we will have to perform well in all departments of the game to beat them," he said, adding: "Cricket these days should be taken up with a balanced approach and we would try our best to win matches rather than worrying about maintaining a balance between attack and defence. He said: "Our strength is our bowling but the key is for our batsmen to put runs on the board and allow the bowlers room to work with."
Misbah said: "It is better to win by playing defensively, instead of losing by playing aggressively. It's all about the situation; what you are required to do or not do in a particular scenario." The 4-day training camp in Lahore mainly focused on the bowlers apart from strenuous fielding drills at the beginning of each day. The focus was made on keeping mental strength of the players. The Pakistan cricket team is leaving for the UAE on January 9 (tomorrow) and the first Test against ICC's No 1 Test team will get underway from January 17 in Dubai.
Misbah said: "My approach is simple in cricket: when you go onto the ground, focus on your performance. Forget about who the opposition is, do what you can do right, play tough cricket and then you look at the results. When you do all these things right, results will be in your favour."
About conditions in the UAE, Misbah said, "It is difficult for bowlers to take wickets, it is also difficult for batsmen to score runs because of the slow pitches where the ball doesn't come onto the bat. It will be a challenge for both teams; both departments will have to work hard."
Regarding the Decision Review System (DRS), he said it is a welcome addition to the Pak-England series. "I always say the DRS give both teams a chance because umpires are also human-beings and they can make mistakes sometimes. This is an option for both batsmen and bowlers to help rectify the mistakes of the umpires. I am always in favour of this superb innovation. No doubt it needs better accuracy but I still believe it's quite helpful for the teams."
It may be noted that Pakistan had an impressive run in 2011; they did not lose any of the Test series they played and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. Pakistan is doing well in every department: batting, spin bowling, fast bowling.