Wellington, Dec.2 (ANI): Middle order batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq has joined the Pakistan team ahead of the second Test match starting at the Basin Reserve here on Thursday.

Misbah’s inclusion in the team in expected to strengthen the batting line-up, which failed to offer any resistance to the hostile Kiwi bowling spearheaded by pacer Shane Bond.

The right-handed batsman’s presence in the team would also provide Pakistan a much needed safe pair of hands in the slips cordon. The Pakistani players displayed a pitiable show of their fielding skills during the first Test dropping four crucial catches, which could have turned the result of the game in their favour.

Following the miserable performance by the batsmen in the first Test match at Dunedin, which the hosts won by 32 runs, Pakistani selectors decided to send Misbah to fulfil the gap created in the middle-order by Younus Khan’s absence.

Misbah, 35, has been awful form, which saw him being axed from all the three teams for the Kiwi series.

However, following Younus’ decision to sit out of the series, the selectors were left with no option but to send Misbah.

The PCB was not in favour of sending any replacement for Younis Khan, but stand-in captain Mohammad Yousuf urged the selectors that the team needed experienced players like Misbah in the team. (ANI)