LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq yesterday admitted his failure with the bat was a “big factor” in team’s disastrous tour of Sri Lanka.
Pakistan were beaten 2-0 in the Tests and lost the three match one-day series 2-1 in August.
“If I take pressure it won’t solve the problem, my contribution as a batsman was not there and it was a big factor,” he said.
“I should do more work on my basics and try to come back in form as soon as possible because when you play as a senior batsman in the team your contribution is very important,” he added.
He added that lack of match practice -- the tour was Pakistan’s first since the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 in February-March this year -- had also played a role in the defeats.
“We lacked match practice and we couldn’t handle it,” said Misbah.
Newly appointed coach Waqar Younis and batting coach Grant Flower have come under fire since the losses but Misbah said it was too early to pronounce judgement.
“Whatever staff is with you, they try to help you and do the hard work with the players and work with the team, but sometimes when you come into such a situation where results don’t come, it needs some time... before the next series we have time to eradicate whatever weaknesses we have.”
Misbah and Younis met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan to review the defeats and plan for their next two series against Australia and New Zealand -- both in United Arab Emirates starting from October.
AFP
