Pakistan are not taking victory for granted despite putting Tigers on the back foot in the series deciding second Test, said their bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed on Friday. Tigers were given the task of scoring the record 550 runs in their second innings and Pakistan bolstered their chances by reducing them to 63-1 in 14 overs when the stumps were drawn on day three.Tigers made a similar fight back in the opening Test match when they came from 296 runs behind in their second innings to earn their maiden draw against Pakistan.
‘Cricket is a funny old game and you got to focus on what you can do well,’ Mushtaq told reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
‘We are in a good position but still we have to bowl well, we have to catch well, we have to field well and have to play very smart cricket and we have to be professional,’ said Mushtaq.
‘The Whole point is anything can happen and a lot of records get broken but we are on top now and have big chance to win this from here.’
Mushtaq said that they did not enforce the follow-on despite having a lead of 354 runs due to Tigers ability to make a comeback that can put them into trouble if they had to bat on the fifth day.
‘The pitch may behave differently on day 4 and 5, so all these elements played a role for not to enforce the follow-on,’ said Mushtaq.
‘This is Test cricket, you don’t have to finish the game in three days,’ he said.
‘You got to be professional and see the limitations of the team and the bowlers as well. You still have plenty of time left in the Test and also you have to respect the game.
‘It was a team decision and we have to stick with the decision,’ he said.
-With New Age input
