Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday (May 11) has made it clear that he “doesn't care” about the “critics and their criticism” regarding his team's performance in the recent multi-format tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, the Pakistan cricket team thrashed South Africa in the white-ball series, winning the ODI series 2-1 and T20I series 3-1 followed by a 2-1 T20I series victory in Zimbabwe. They also handed a humiliating defeat to Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series earlier this week to finish the tours on high.
However, many were not too pleased with Pakistan’s performance against the second-string South Africa team and low-ranked Zimbabwe, but Misbah said it’s not their fault if the opposition isn’t at their full strength or strong as he was happy with his team’s recent show.
Misbah said during a virtual press conference: “I don't care about them and their criticism. We had great results in both series. Winning in different and tough conditions was important for the team. The openers performed well during the Test series against Zimbabwe. We performed better in the field as well. Hasan Ali performed extraordinarily. We would like to continue this momentum in England.”
The head coach also insisted that he isn't worried about his future with the national team and nor will he think about it, but he can only work and try hard since the outcome isn’t in his hands.
He continued, “We can only work and try hard. The bottom line is that results are not in our hands. As the head coach, I have not thought about my future and will not start doing that now either.”
Misbah also said the team management and selectors are trying out a lot of new talents in all three formats of the game, but they will pick only the World T20 Cup 2021 probables for the England tour.
The former captain added, “Due to the exceptional conditions because of COVID-19, we have been able to take extended squads and have a close look at the available talent. But on the coming tour to England, we will only pick those players who have a chance of playing in the World T20 Cup this year.”
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On the selection of Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, and Tabish Khan against Zimbabwe, the coach explained: “In my opinion, age should not be a factor. If a performer is fit enough they should get an opportunity.
Against Zimbabwe, we gave Tabish Khan a chance without compromising on our strengths. Faheem Ashraf is a great performer and there is no danger to his place in the side. We continue to give opportunities to players in the white-ball format as well.”
Misbah signed off by saying that Pakistan needs to work on their middle-order in white-ball cricket. He concluded, “We are just concerned about our middle-order in white-ball cricket. We have to do something in that regard.”
(With PTI Inputs)
