Misbah disappointed with England tour results

Pakistan cricket team head coach and chief selector Misbah ul haq has expressed disappointment with the results on England tour, saying that Men in Green had a chance to win both T20I and Test series.

While talking to media in Lahore, the head coach said that they went for the tour without any preparation but the way they played cricket and showed discipline should be appreciated.

“This was a very important tour for us, and world cricket, bearing in mind Covid-19 situation,” said Misbah. “Players went for the tour without any preparation but the way they played cricket and showed discipline should be appreciated.”

“Obviously my biggest regret is in terms of results as we could have won the Test series 1-0 and T20I 2-0. We made some technical and tactical mistakes, which did not help our cause,” he added.

He also defended Pakistan team’s performance under him, despite slipping to number four in T20 rankings.

“Of course, the team was number one but if you recall, when I came even then the team was on a losing streak. The team had already lost in South Africa, England and other places. The slide had already begun and everyone knows why that was.

“Some of our players were out of form. Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan and then Hasan Ali, the main contributors to our rise up the ranking, when they went into a slump the team also felt that dip. We’re trying to take these and new boys back towards that level.”

He also responded to question over Pakistan’s limited-overs captain’s, Babar Azam, decision-making skills on the field.

“Babar makes his own decisions as we believe in empowering him as captain. He will make mistakes but will also learn from it and improve along the way,” the former Pakistan captain said.

Meanwhile, commenting on Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, he said the duo can be a part of the national team for the next T20 World Cup.

“I think both players can be a part of the Pakistan team for the next ICC T20 World Cup,” said Misbah. “If you look at their previous two year’s record, they have done a reasonable job for the team and played some crucial knocks.”

“Even if you look at Shoaib and Hafeez’s strike rate, it is according to the requirement of international cricket.”