Pakistan players were relieved ending the series on a winning note as that will help the team to get some confidence back, said skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on Saturday. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 328 runs inside four days to clinch the two-match Test series that ended their miserable run in the tour as they were clean swept in the one-day internationals and lone Twenty20 international.
Pakistan’s Test win came after Bangladesh earned their maiden draw against their Asian neighbours in the opening Test match by making a heroic comeback through putting 555-6 in their second innings after coming behind from 296-run deficit.
‘The disappointment that came after losing one or two series would be wiped away and the confidence of the players would be gained,’ said Misbah.
‘Every match, every series is important for us. And the way Bangladesh had been playing recently it was really important for our team’s confidence to win the Test series.
‘It was really important for our team and our players to have their confidence back and also to regain the confidence of our supporters,’ he added.
Misbah praised his bowlers for doing their job in near perfection against the hosts in the series deciding Test match at Mirpur.
Tigers were shot down to 203 runs in reply to Pakistan’s 557-8 declared and the hosts were gunned down for 221 runs in their second innings chasing 550 runs after Pakistan earned an overall lead of 549 runs as they posted 195-6 declared in the second innings.
‘I think they did well, it was not easy conditions for the pace bowlers,’ said h
Misbah.
‘The weather was testing, wicket was a bit slow but this pitch was a little bit quicker and there was little more bounce. Overall we need to improve our disciplines, but I think in the end they did well to take 20 wickets in this Test match,’ he said.
Misbah added that he will take a lot of positives from the fact that some young players put their hands forward in the Test series.
Azhar Ali scored highest 334 runs in the series with a double hundred while Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed and Yasir Shah contributed well to help the tourists clinch the Test series.
‘I think the way Azhar Ali’s performance in the Test matches is coming forward, the way Asad Shafiq and even Sarfraz is playing with such consistency, and Yasir Shah is improving with every Test match – these are all positives to be taken,’ he said.
‘I think the most positive thing is the consistency of our performances,’ he added.
-With New Age input
