Pakistan’s cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq yesterday admitted his failure with the bat was a “big factor” in his team’s disastrous tour of Sri Lanka. Pakistan were beaten 2-0 in the Tests and lost the three match one-day series 2-1 last month.
Veteran Misbah has held Pakistan’s frail batting order together since being appointed captain in 2010, and was the world’s leading scorer in one-day cricket last year with 1,373 runs.
But age appeared to be catching up with the 40-year-old in Sri Lanka where he scratched out a total of just 67 runs over both Tests and the same figure in the three one-dayers.
“If I take pressure it won’t solve the problem, my contribution as a batsman was not there and it was a big factor,” he said.
“I should do more work on my basics and try to come back in form as soon as possible because when you play as a senior batsman in the team your contribution is very important,” he added.
He added that lack of match practice – the tour was Pakistan’s first since the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 in February-March this year – had also played a role in the defeats.
“We lacked match practice and we couldn’t handle it,” said Misbah whose team was destroyed by Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath who took 23 wickets in two Tests.
Newly appointed coach Waqar Younis and batting coach Grant Flower have come under fire since the losses but Misbah said it was too early to pronounce judgement.
Misbah and Younis met Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan yesterday to review the defeats and plan for their next two series against Australia and New Zealand – both in UAE starting from October.