Today, Pakistan begins its much awaited Tests series against England at the Lord's.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Wahab said, under the captaincy of Misbah this team is much more united. We have seen the hard time of Pakistan cricket. “It's easy to see and easy to talk about but we have worked hard after what happened [in 2010],” he added.
Pakistan briefly rose to No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings – they are currently third, a place above England – after beating England 2-0 in the UAE last year.
“We have managed to make people all over the world believe that Pakistan is a good Test team. The belief will come - it depends how much crowd will come and want to see the Test matches. If it is a full house that means they do believe in the Pakistan team. Pakistan is a strong team and can always give you a hard time,” said the Pakistani pacer.
According to Times of India, Misbah said, “I decided I need to be here in a tough series for Pakistan, and I really want to do well here.” Yet for all his experience, there is still something special about playing a Test at ‘the home of cricket.’
“There are no nerves (yet)," said Misbah. “That's something you always wait for. It's a big occasion -- everyone wants to play at Lord's, just to perform well here and get the respect of every spectator and supporter.” He added, “Luckily, we played most cricket in UAE, have got used to conditions and made the most of it. It's given us good confidence, and that is really helping in Test cricket.”
Misbah has been an outstanding servant of Pakistan Test cricket and representing the country in a positive manner and of hopefully erasing some of the stigma that was attached to Pakistan cricket during the last tour.
But under Misbah's shrewd guidance Pakistan have become tough to beat in the UAE and a competitive side abroad, traits reflected in their third place in the current world Test rankings – one position above England.
Pakistan's last two tours of England have ended in controversies. However, Pakistan is a better side and their bowling will give them an edge over England in the four-match Test series.
Misbah has a fine Test record, with nearly 4,500 runs at an impressive average of nearly 49 in 61 matches.
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