Pakistan promise 'different ball game' against South Africa

Misbah ul Haq believes Pakistan has the firepower to rattle top-ranked South Africa as they began their final preparations for the two-match Test series starting Monday.

"We have a really good record in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” said Misbah at a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday harking back to their previous successes in the UAE.

“Most of our players have had a good series against Sri Lanka and England here in the UAE and they have good memories.

“This is something positive we can take forward and focus and give our 100 per cent and play real good cricket."

Asked how Pakistan would tackle Dale Steyn who spearheaded South Africa's 3-0 whitewash earlier this year, Misbah countered the conditions would be different in UAE.

"No doubt they are the No.1 side in the world but I think in UAE it's altogether a different story because obviously difficult conditions, different ball game, a bit difficult for the fast bowlers but conducive for the spin bowling. You could say conditions are bit more suited for the Pakistan team," he said.

"It was a different story when we played in South Africa where most of the wickets had around 10mm to 15mm grass. They will definitely not get that here,” he said.

Misbah was banking on Saeed Ajmal but warned South Africa he is not their only strike bowler.

“Apart from him (Ajmal), Abdur Rehman and the pacer Junaid Khan have good track records in the in the UAE.

“I think all out bowlers have good records here. We have a new one Zulfiqar Babar who is really bowling well. We are really positive about that these guys have some tricks and can really trouble the South African batsmen.”

The 39 year-old Pakistan skipper was coy on whether they would go with three spinners but said they were looking forward to result-orientated pitches.

“We really want to win the matches and these are the instructions to the ground staff. We are not going to disclose our plans. Let’s see when the match starts.”

On the omission of veteran Mohammad Hafeez who was dropped after scoring just 102 in his last five Tests, Misbah said: “Hafeez is main player of the team. He was struggling in the last 10 innings. Still I feel he is good support for bowling in conditions like this. But sometimes we have to take these sort of decisions and I think it was a wise decision to give him rest and little bit time off so he can come in the future and really contribute to the team."

Addressing questions on the fragility of Pakistan's batting especially finding a regular opening combination, Misbah said they hoped to find a second specialist to partner Khurram Manzoor from the Pakistan A team currently playing South Africa in Sharjah.

“We tried to make some change to the opening slot. Let’s hope some of the guys who are playing for the Pakistan A get some runs and get some confidence. It will be a boost for us then."

Misbah reiterated his team’s resolve to put on a better show against the world’s best Test side after coming under fire following a shock defeat in the second Test against minnows Zimbabwe in Harare.

“As a professional, I think winning and losing is part of the game,” said Misbah.

"Whenever you lose, specially in Asia because people have so much expectation, they always want the team to do well. Whenever poor results come against a team like Zimbabwe it is obvious they are really hurt, so they come hard at you," he said

“You just try to focus on the upcoming games. Forget about the matches that took place in the past. It doesn’t matter that we lost against Zimbabwe. It doesn’t mean we are a poor side.

“We are the same side that defeated the then world number one team (England) 3-0 (last year). We are capable of doing that again and the only thing that matters is how we play.”

The team held a training session at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi that lasted for nearly three hours and are scheduled to begin a two-day practice game against the UAE on Wednesday.

"It will give us a better of idea of weather and pitch conditions before the Test match," he said of the practice game.

Pakistan coach Dave Whatmore put their preparations in perspective despite the humbling in Zimbabwe.

“To me, there were two things that were different when we played last time in South Africa,” he said.

"We had really good preparation for limited overs cricket last time we played in South Africa.
This time it's a little bit different," he pointed out.

"We may not have had the best of results in Zimbabwe but certainly we come into this series playing enough red-ball cricket. That’s a big difference for me. We are looking forward to participate against a very good side," he summed up.

Apart from two Tests, Pakistan and South Africa will play five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals.

The first Test will be held at the Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from October 14 to 18. The second Test will be held at Dubai Sports City from October 23 to 27.

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