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Teams cancelled, postponed their South Africa tours, but we are committed to it: Misbah takes dig at England & Australia
Pakistan head coach Misbah-Ul-Haq believes that a full-strength Pakistan team touring South Africa and Zimbabwe is going to have a great effect on the game and also the hosting nations, which have seen several of their series being cancelled, postponed and left midway due to Covid-19.
Speaking to the press before their departure from Lahore, Misbah informed that all players and support staff including Hasan Ali, who had earlier tested positive, have tested negative for the Covid-19 virus.
Stressing upon the point how Pakistan toured England during the raging Pandemic last year and without naming Australia, who cancelled their South Africa tour just recently, Misbah said, “It’s very difficult for players to keep on playing while remaining in the bubble. However, being the stakeholder of the game, they are taking it as their duty to serve the game. We went to England last year and now e are touring South Africa even as others team postponed and cancelled tier tours midway.”
Addressing the elephant in the room, the selection of players like Shrajeel on captain’s recommendations, Misbah said, “There is a prevalent notion that it is somebody’s team that we have picked. Let me clear this once and for all, it is not mine or the captain’s or the selector’s team, it is Pakistan’s team and whatever would be better for Pakistan, we would do that.”
Agreeing to the fact that It’s going to be a challenging series as always because of the conditions and the strength of the hosts, the 46-year-old also showed confidence in the abilities of his leader Babar and the nucleus of the team to present formidable resistance.
“Babar is a leader who just doesn’t believe in saying things, rather gives his 100 per cent and expects the same from his men. It is his ability to lead by example that makes him stand out from the rest. He has also got a lot of support from Shadab [Khan] and [Mohammad] Rizwan, So I think the team is going to give its best.
Pakistan on its tour of South Africa will play three ODIs and four T20is and Misbah believes that the T20s would be very important with respect to the upcoming T20 wORLD cup in October- November in India. The team also plays three T20Is against Zimbabwe later on.
The Zimbabwe leg of the tour, according to the former Pakistan skipper is mainly to give opportunities to the youngsters and then build proper bench strength for the Red ball cricket team.
Pakistan will play the first game of the tour on April 2, an ODI at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The first T20 would be played on 10th April at the Wanderers.
