Thaindian News

Islamabad, Jan 8 (IANS) Pakistani cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq is optimistic about the team’s performance in the upcoming three-match Test series against England in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Talking to media Saturday after the conclusion of the team’s week-long training session in eastern city Lahore, Misbah said Pakistan would have an advantage in the series against England, ranked No.1. The two teams will also play four ODIs and three Twenty20s after the Test series.

“We know the conditions in the UAE as we have played a lot of cricket there so we have become used to the venues so that will definitely be an advantage for us,” Misbah said.

While replying to the criticism over his defensive style of batting and captaincy Misbah defended his strategy and said: “It is better to win by playing defensively, instead of losing by playing aggressively. It’s all about the situation; what you are required to do or not do.”

Talking about the conditions in the UAE, Misbah said that it would be challenging for both teams because taking wickets and scoring runs are difficult in slow pitches.

Pakistan’s 14-member besides officials and team staff will leave for the UAE Monday and Pakistan will play its first Test match against England Jan 17 in Dubai.

Pakistani team officials and captain also hoped that they would go for the game while forgetting the 2010 tragedy of spot fixing allegation on Pakistani players during their visit to England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has already given specific and strict instructions to the players to focus only the game and avoid any kind of controversy during the series against English team.

In 2011, Pakistan had an impressive record as they did not lose any of the Test series they played and qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup in India.

Pakistan is scheduled to play three Test matches, four One-Day International and two Twenty20 matches against England.