Pakistan team not distracted by off-field scandals

Pakistan’s cricketers are determined to continue their domination over Sri Lanka when the third Test begins at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Despite being wary of a backlash by Sri Lanka whom they beat inside four days in the second Test held in Dubai to take 1-0 series lead, Pakistan are quietly confident of prevailing in a venue which has been a happy hunting ground for them.

“We just want to play, good, positive and disciplined cricket. Ofcourse, Sri Lanka is a very good side. They are fighters. We are aware of that fact and are ready for that. Our focus is to do basics well and play as we have for the last year and half,” said Pakistan skipper Misbah ul Haq at a pre-match conference on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old has been a calming influence since taking over a burning deck when the Pakistan team was rocked by the spot-fixing scandal last year. Under Misbah’s leadership, the team has blossomed and is yet to lose a series, winning four Tests, drawing four and losing just one.

Although Misbah did not comment on the verdict which found former Test captain Salman Butt and paceman Mohammad Asif guilty of conspiracy to cheat and accepting corrupt payments, he eagerly discussed Pakistan’s progress in the wake of the scandal.

“The key for us is to control what we can control – the effort we are putting in and we are only focusing on that,” said Misbah when asked about the difficulties of leading Pakistan.
 
“We have a good bunch of boys and everybody is doing their work and everyone is focusing on their own performance. The team is doing well and everybody is performing and we don’t think about anything else,” he said.
 
Since replacing Butt after the England tour last year, Misbah has led the team admirably quietly asserting his authority.

“There’s been good communication with players. There’s good spirit. We know each other well and that’s the key,” said Misbah, who was made captain for all three formats of the game in September after Shahid Afridi was sacked.

“The guys are really good and they focus well and that’s the key for us and that makes my job easier,” said Misbah.

“Everybody is doing hard work and everybody is responding well and that’s helping me as captain and there’s no problem whatsoever.”
 
Misbah said his coordination with players is also excellent.
 
“There’s a good relationship between players, the management and the captain. Everyone is relaxing and there’s no tension in the team,” he said.

Misbah is one of three players in the Pakistan team, alongside fellow batsmen Taufeeq Umar and Younus Khan, who have played Tests previously in Sharjah which is hosting a Test after nine years.

“Pakistan team has good memories here. They played good cricket here although they played more one-day cricket,” said Misbah of the stadium which has hosted a world record 200 one-day internationals but only four Tests.

Pakistan will aim to use their ‘home’ advantage to maximum with Misbah expecting fans to turn up in large numbers.

“You always enjoy playing here because there is lot of support for Pakistan cricket team. It good to play here in Sharjah and we are hoping for good support,” he said.

Asked whether the off-field controversies have been a distraction, Misbah said: “Everybody is doing hard work and everybody is responding well and that’s helping me as captain and there’s no problem whatsoever.”
 
Misbah said his coordination with players is also excellent.
 
“There’s a good relationship between players, the management and the captain. Everyone is relaxing and there’s no tension in the team,” he said.

Pakistan manager Col Naushad Ali said he was enjoying the ‘family’ atmosphere within the team.

“I’m also enjoying very much. They are a good bunch of boys. We have got a family atmosphere. We celebrated victory as a family dinner last night (Tuesday). They are a bunch of professionals and cooperative with the captain and management,” he said.

Sri Lanka skipper Tillekaratne Dilshan said they have worked hard during the last two days to improve their batting which is their major concern.

“We know which area we have to improve. If everyone is ready to do their job, if we play our brand of cricket, we have a good chance to level the series,” he said.

He wanted the players to put up their hands up and make big knocks in the first innings without relying always on the experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.

“The toss is not a big factor. The Sharjah wicket looks a good Test pitch. There is a little bit of grass in it,” said Dilshan who has fantastic memories of Sharjah especially Sanath Jayasuriya’s 189 against India.

He did not feel any pressure but was worried about his own batting performance in the last two matches.

“I have confidence I can come and get a big one,” he said shrugging off the controversies raging in the cricket world at the moment.

He said they were contemplating changes but would decide the composition of the side only on the morning of the match.

Dilshan defended the selection of Lahiru Thirimanne despite his failure to impress in the four Tests he has played at the expense of the experienced Upul Tharanga who has been recalled for the one-days.

“He (Tharanga) did not play Test cricket in the last two or three years. He played only one-day cricket. We had (Tharanga) Paranavithana and myself opening in the last two years. Young Thirimanne is doing really well in domestic and for A team. He is really a solid opener. We want to groom him for the future,” he said.
 

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