Off-field issues won't affect team’s performance in World Cup: Misbah ul Haq
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 has dismissed the talks that the spot-fixing scandal would have any impact on team’s performance in the high-profile cricketing event, the ICC World Cup 2011, commencing in Dhaka from the 19th of
February, 2011.
“We are going to play positive cricket and our focus is totally on cricket and not on what has happened off the field recently. I am confident it will be a good tournament for us," said Misbah.
Misbah said that the side has gained momentum after leveling the Test series against Kiwis by 1-1 followed by a 3-2 ODI series win against same opposition, during the recently concluded tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, and is going into the mega event
with their spirits high.
Misbah, who will be playing in his maiden World Cup, had been crucial in the tournament compiling six half-centuries during the six-week long tour and was pleased with his own performance. He hoped that he would continue playing good cricket
in the soon-to-start quadrennial event.
"It is great that I have found form at the right time, ahead of such a big event and hopefully it will continue in the World Cup also. Playing for the World Cup for the first time is a big motivation to do well."
The Test captain of Pakistan said the whole side is clear about the expectations attached with them going into the mega event and the team will try their absolute best to come up to the expectations.
Misbah conceded that the upcoming tournament would be quite tough as the opposition changes in every match as well as the conditions.
The 36-year-old said that the bowling department of Pakistan is quite good, however, he urged the batting line-up to click in the World cup. Presence of experienced all-rounders like Afridi and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Razzaq-c84421 in the lower-order, according to Misbah,
gives the Pakistan team a clear edge.
"We have good bowlers but the batsmen have to play their role in scoring the required runs while batting first or second,” said the right-handed batsman.
Pakistan has been placed in Group A of the World Cup which also includes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 in Hambantota on the 23rd of
February.
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