(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Captain backs his talented youngsters to shine at the World Cup next year.
Misbah-ul-Haq during a Press conference in Sharjah on Tuesday.Photo by M. Sajjad/ Khaleej Times
Dubai — The most successful Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is confident that his country’s cricketing future was in secure hands of talented young players who he reckons will be a force to reckon with at the 2015 ICC World Cup Down Under.
“I have faith in my players that they can perform well in any condition” the man of few words said with confidence about the young brigade at his command.
“It will be a difficult task” he confessed but insisted “we have players to go all the way. It is a matter of confidence and I hope we are ready for the assignment.”
The man who holds the record of joint fastest century in Tests (56 balls) and fastest fifty in Tests (21 balls) enthusiastically rattled out names while talking about the future of the game in Pakistan. “The future of Pakistan cricket looks bright in the hands of young players like Asad Shafiq Azhar Ali Sarfraz Ahmed Ahmed Shahzad and Yasir Shah; they are finding their feet with ease on a larger stage.
“They are going to wear the Pakistan shirt for at least next eight to nine years and that’s an encouraging sign.”
While Misbah in the company of another veteran Younis Khan has been efficiently shepherding the young Pakistani cricketers his former teammates and section of media have heaped unwarranted criticism on him.
“I was the victim of undue criticism” he said rather despondently. “It is really good for the game if there is constructive criticism. It helps you to improve your game by putting up a fight.
“But when there is a targeted criticism it really hurts. I request everyone to show responsibility and pinpoint the shortcomings but don’t target individuals and criticism should not fall into the category of disrespect.”
His record of 15 victories as a captain for Pakistan is better than legends like Imran Khan and Javed Miandad but Misbah has remained as modest as he was when he entered the international scene.
The man from Mianwali a town about 329km north to Lahore was given charge of guiding the rudderless ship in the aftermath of 2010 spot-fixing saga.
Like every Pakistani cricketer Misbah also craves to play at home as Pakistan haven’t played at home since 2009 when the Sri Lankan team came under a terrorist attack in Lahore. “Everyone wants to play at home and in front of the home crowd. We have been on the road for the reasons beyond our control but there are no regrets.
“We have played a lot in the UAE and know the conditions here very well. We have some great memories of playing there and hope international cricket returns to Pakistan sooner than later” he wished. The domestic cricket set up in Pakistan has come under fire from former players including Imran Khan but Misbah plays with a straight defensive bat when asked about his opinion on the issue.
“The PCB has been trying to get things better and better. They have done a great job by introducing fitness culture among the centrally contracted players.
“The same system is being introduced in first class cricket and it will go a long way to raise the standard of the game back home. There is no dearth of talent in our country” Misbah added.
Misbah 40 is going strong and he is one of the fittest players in the Pakistan team. So when asked about his plans on hanging up his gloves he says: “I have a clear idea about when to call it a day and I will disclose at the appropriate time.”
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