The ongoing bilateral series between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been a terrible one so far for the latter, who have succumbed to defeats in all of the matches bar the first Test in Khulna. As a result, a few former Pakistan cricketers and captains have criticised the ability of their side.
Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul Haq, however, came to the rescue of his charges yesterday, saying the former cricketers have nothing productive to do other than criticising the current side.
“They (the former Pakistan cricketers) are saying such things because the former cricketers have nothing else to do,” said an angry Misbah at Sher-e-Bangla National stadium, on the eve of the second and final Test starting today.
The sub-continent powerhouse have experienced some convincing defeats in the limited-over leg of the series which paved the way for former Pakistan cricketers like Saqlain Mushtaq, Ramiz Raja and a few others to question the motivation of the side.
Misbah though expressed his hope that they would be able to eke out a positive result in the second Test and take something back from the series.
“Every game for us is important and it’s not like this match is everything for us and nothing else. We take every game seriously but results are not in our control. The only thing we can ensure is our efforts and we are doing our best,” said the 40-year old.
Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal is in terrific touch with the bat, having blasted his maiden double hundred in the drawn Khulna Test and Misbah informed that they have plans in place to thwart the southpaw, who also had a brilliant run in the three-match ODI series with 312 runs.
“We had plans for him and it’s not like we never tried them. We did but he, being at his prime form, has been dealing them very well. But, we are looking at some new strategy against him and lets see how we implement them,” he said.