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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs England: Misbah delighted with Test recall of Malik

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq has warned against complacency against the new-look England side who are on a high after winning the Ashes.

“It’s a different England team. Obviously we’re confident and playing good cricket, but at the same time England are also playing good cricket,” Misbah, told a news conference at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium, which will stage the first Test from October 13.

“It’s a new series. We need to focus on our basics and we really need to work hard. That is what we’re looking for. We’re not just looking at the results. We’ll definitely go day by day, session by session,” said Misbah identifying England all-rounder Moeen Ali as a major danger to his team.

"Ali has been bowling really well, and he has done well against a team like India, that says a lot of his bowling strength," said Misbah of Ali, who took 19 wickets in England's 3-1 home win against India last year.

Misbah, one of six survivors from Pakistan's 3-0 whitewash of England in the UAE in 2012, expressed his delight over Shoaib Malik's return to the Test squad but said his batsmen would have to be at their best against quality opposition bowling.

"Again it's not just the two spinners we have to respect but the others too. We need to deal with their seamers as well. They have some quality fast bowling," he said.

Malik, 33, was unbeaten in two of three innings in Zimbabwe, scoring 161 runs, while he has averaged 100 in 11 one-day internationals this year. His last Test appearance was in 2010.

"It's pretty clear he's really been playing well," said Misbah, adding Malik's bowling was also decisive in his recall.

"England have four or five left-handers in their line-up (so) we thought about another option of off-spin... In this heat you need another bowler."

Misbah also termed the fast-rising leg spinner Yasir Shah a “threat to every team” ahead of their three-Test series.

Pakistan hope Shah and slow left armer Zulfiqar Babar will be able to match the expolits of Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman who shared 43 wickets between them in a 3-0 rout of England in 2012.

Asked whether Shah would be an equal threat in the absence of Ajmal, who is not selected for the series due to lack of form after remodelling his action, Misbah said: “The way he's bowling he's a threat to every team.

“Obviously England know that and he too is aware of it. But it's not just him but all our bowlers have to play their roles and the batsmen must score consistently well.”

Shah has been leading Pakistan's spin attack in Ajmal's abscence, taking 24 wickets in Pakistan's last series in Sri Lanka and climbing to number three in the Test rankings.

Misbah praised his spinner but hoped his fast bowlers will also contribute.

“Yasir has been outstanding in recent times and so has been Babar. But it's not just them but we expect the fast bowling department also to play their roles by taking wickets with the new ball, especially in Abu Dhabi,” added the skipper, 41.

More than half of Pakistan's Test squad, along with the coaching staff, only arrived in the UAE on Wednesday from Zimbabwe.

The team will play a two-day practice match starting Friday, Pakistan's sole warm-up game. Their last Test was a 10-wicket win in Sri Lanka in mid-July to clinch that series 2-1.

"It's not ideal," added Misbah. "We've got time and can really prepare ourselves in the next three to four days."