Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul Haq yesterday said the 1-0 series victory over Bangladesh was not a face-saving win for the visitors.
Ever since Pakistan landed in Bangladesh, the tourists suffered one defeat after another as the Tigers romped to convincing victories in the lone practice match followed by the three one-day internationals and solitary Twenty20 international.
Going into the second and final Test in Dhaka, the visitors were under tremendous pressure to salvage some consolation and pride from the bilateral series but Misbah informed that he was always confident with the ability of his charges in the longer-version.
“I don’t think that it’s a face-saving win. I think we should be aware of the fact that there has been a lot of changes. Bangladesh team were more experienced in T20 and one-day cricket. They have been playing with the same team for the last four-five years. So, they were having that edge and I think they deserve that victory. But in the Test match, everything was the other way round. We were the more experienced team, we were doing really well so I think we proved that again,” Misbah told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium following their huge 328-run win in the deciding Test.
“Of course after the draw in the first Test, that was a big disappointment for us but the consistency in the performance was the key for us so I think we just kept on
playing like that and that’s really a good thing for us.
“It was really important for our team and our players to have their confidence back and also to regain the confidence of our supporters. The disappointment that came after losing one or two series would be wiped away and the confidence of the players would be regained,” he said.
Misbah, the world’s oldest Test cricketer at the moment, sported a wry smile when asked about his retirement plans. The 40-year old said he is still undecided over the decision and added that an announcement will be made when he feels the time is right to call it a day.