Misbah, Hafeez eye series draw with a win at Pallekele – Cricket News Update
Pakistan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 and senior top-order batsman Mohammad Hafeez are optimistic about their team’s chances in the third and final Test of the three-match series, which got underway at Pallekele today, July 8, 2012.
Speaking to media reporters ahead of the final bout of the series, the visiting skipper said that the scintillating batting performance, well supported by clinical bowling, at Colombo has boosted the morale of the side, and hoped to emulate that performance
at Pallekele and square the series.
"If the weather had not intervened, we could have pushed for a result in Colombo,” said Misbah at the pre-match press conference. "But everyone is encouraged by the way we played the second Test. Hopefully, we can repeat that performance in the final Test
and draw the series," the Pakistan skipper concluded.
After facing a massive 209-run defeat in the opening Test at Galle, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 made a heartening comeback in the second Test, at Colombo last week. Though the match ended in a rain effected draw, Misbah’s men were more fruitful than the Islanders.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779.
Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez, who was unlucky to miss a well deserved double century at Colombo by just four runs, is also eager to see his side convert the momentum gained in the second Test, in the ongoing third and final five-day encounter of the itinerary.
"We can't win the series, but we will return home happy if we can win this match and draw the series," said Hafeez on Saturday. "The morale of the team is high after Colombo and we are ready for the challenge ahead," he added further.
If Pakistan fails to manage a victory at Pallekele, this would be Sri Lanka’s first Test series win since magical spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s retirement, in July 2010.
Earlier the two-match T20 International series between the two outfits was drawn 1-1, while the five ODI series was won by the hosts 3-1, with one rained out game.
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