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Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq will seek consistency while his counterpart Australia’s Michael Clarke will look for runs in the second Test starting in Abu Dhabi today. |
Pakistan humiliated Australia by a big 221-run margin in the first Test in Dubai and now seek their first series win over Australia for 20 years.
Misbah-ul Haq, however, was concerned with the lack of consistency of his team, regarded as the most unpredictable in the world.
“The complaint people have with us is that we don’t play consistent cricket so we have to focus on consistent performance in this match,” said Misbah yesterday.
In the case of another win, Misbah would equal Imran Khan and Javed Miandad’s record of most Test wins for Pakistan with 14.
Misbah said it will be important to win the series against Australia.
“It will be very important because we have not won a series against Australia for a long time, we have a very good chance to win and that can win back the confidence,” said Misbah.
“I think credit must be given to the bowlers that they did not make us feel (Saeed) Ajmal’s absence,” said Misbah of the off-spinner, suspended last month over an illegal action.
Misbah said the pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will also suit his team.
“This pitch looks a bit different, it’s normally different from the Dubai pitch because it’s harder and has pace and bounce, but it looks good and if we look at our strength then it looks good for us,” he added.
Clarke refused to accept there was extra pressure on him for not scoring runs in the first Test.
“It doesn’t feel any different to any other Test match to me. My expectations are always very high for myself personally to make sure I’m scoring runs and for this Australian team to have success,” said Clarke, who managed just two and three in the Dubai Test.
“I don’t feel any more expectation or any more pressure. It’s about playing our best cricket over five days and if we do that I’m confident we can win the Test match.”
Clarke said he was ready to take risks.
“Sometimes you’ve got to be willing to risk losing to win. We have to win this Test match to level the series. If that’s not the case and we draw the Test match or we lose, we’ll deal with that as well.”
Clarke hoped his team show the necessary attitude to cope with the spin, their main weakness in Asia.
“Facing spin in these conditions, it’s as much about your attitude as it is how you actually play it. Mentally if we can have that positive intent, we’re halfway there towards having success against spin bowling,” said Clarke.
Australia have lost their last five away Tests against subcontinent teams, following their 4-0 rout in India early last year.
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