Cricket is Life: Misbah brushes aside ex-players’ criticism

“I do not agree to what they [some former Test cricketers] are saying doubting my abilities as a captain, and saying that I am not capable of delivering,” Misbah said at the Gaddafi stadium here on Monday.

Misbah, 36, stressed his aim was to inspire the team to put up good performance for attaining good results without considering the might of their opponents.

“I know the task assigned to me is not easy. However, underestimating me as a captain and batsman is not fair as one always learns with time and improves,” the middle-order batsman added.

Misbah said time would tell how he justified himself in the role of captain, adding it was premature to make claims on this issue presently.

Misbah, who has played 19 Tests for Pakistan, said he would endeavour to reduce the gap of his months-long absence from the team by giving good results through his batting and leadership in the two-Test rubber against South Africa to be held in the UAE.

“Even when I was not part of the team I did not give up. I used to train to keep myself in prime form. And I was engaged in cricket because I was confident that I can make a comeback which eventually happened,” said Misbah who was omitted after Pakistan’s disastrous tour to Australia earlier this year.

The Test captain skipped a volley of questions about the possible return of veteran batsman Younis Khan and his (Misbah’s) role in the team selection.

“These are domains of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). As a captain my job is to remain focused and to be a good leader,” Misbah, who has played 56 One-day Internationals so far, said. “I am not afraid of criticism as positive criticism always helps in improving things,” he observed.

Answering a question, he said the ongoing National Twenty20 Championship would help the team prepare to play against South Africa.

“Playing conditions at the off shore venue [UAE] will be conducive and similar to those in Pakistan. And therefore, we stand a good chance to score runs and if we manage to post decent totals we can achieve a favourable result,” he noted.

Misbah reckoned slow bowlers would have a supporting role on the UAE tracks.

“Obviously, spinners can be in a supporting role for the team on such wickets and we have a good variety of all types of bowlers; it all depends on how they perform on a particular day,” he said.

Misbah admitted that his team’s below-par fielding was a long standing problem which needed time for solution.

“We cannot overcome it [poor fielding] in short time as we have been lacking in this department for years. Only sincere efforts and hard work by players can bring improvement in fielding,” he said adding, “With the inclusion of junior players who are relatively better in fielding gradual improvement is being noticed in this department.”