By Asif Suhail
Though 42 years old Misbah-ul-Haq have won the hearts of millions by dedicating Lord’s Test win to philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi yet he didn’t fail in praising the military trainers who trained the boys hard, prepared them to face a tough challenge in English conditions and above all inculcated a sense of national pride in them during two weeks boot camp at Abbottabad.
“The one thing that we learnt from Abbottabad, the army people are not getting much salaries, but for this flag and for the Pakistani nation, they sacrifice their lives. That’s a big motivation for all of us. Everyone is really putting effort in for that flag and the nation. We are giving 100% to try to win all the games,” Misbah said after the victory at Lord’s.
Misbah’s statement is true reflection of a patriotic Pakistani for whom country comes first. Nationalism isa virtue that was sadly missing in some Pakistani players which performed badly in the World Cup-2015, Asia Cup and World Twenty20-2016. Had they taken pride playing for Pakistan the results could have been different in these mega events.
There are many instances available which were sadly observed by passionate followers of CRICKET on television that in these mega events some of our players did not perform according to their potential and threw their wickets unnecessarily.
Here I would support Shaharyar Khan’s views who opine that lack of education is one of the causes of Pakistani players’ bad performance in international cricket. Misbah has rightly hinted that two weeks military training at Abbottabad has ingrained nationalism and pride among the boys who now know better as how to represent their country and bring glory for their country.
England media and the team never objected when Mohammed Amir was granted a British visa but once he reached London they started a campaign against the fast bowler. Particularly, English captain Alastair Cook personally attacked Amir saying he should not had been allowed to play again.
However, Mickey Arthur and refined Misbah-ul-Haq knew that these tactics are being used to bring Green shirts under pressure. Both knew better how to deal with these bizarre English tactics. They kept boys focused on their performance only in the middle. They did an excellent job in controlling emotions of a young fast bowler who rejected all negative criticism on his comeback, six years after the worst day of his life at Lord’s. He claimed the final England wicket that gave Pakistan a well-deserved victory at this venue. We all saw emotions in his eyes as he spread his arms after bowling out last English batsman.
Wales &England Cricket Board have taken some measures to strengthen their side for the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford. James Anderson and Ben Stokes are back in the squad after recovering from injury. Adil Rasheed has been also named in the 14-man squad to strengthen spin attack. They have persuaded Saqlain Mushtaq to pass on some of his past magic to Moeen Ali but this wouldn’t work. Rashid will also not be effective against Pakistani batsmen who are proficient to play spin bowling.
Whereas his inclusion has put extra pressure on Moeen’s place and the England selectors who would be in a quandary – either to drop Moeen Ali for Rashid or play with two spinners. Recalling of Saqlain, however, smacks that Moeen will be in the final squad.
Victory at Lord’s has been achieved amid this hostile but bias English tactics, which is a great achievement. Though Pakistan have convincingly tamed England yet there are grey areas where Mickey will have to work seriously. England would bounce back ferociously at Old Trafford and our batsmen particularly Mohammed Hafeez, Younis Khan and Azhar Ali will have to show resilience and patience in their attitude in the remaining Test matches. They are backbone of Pakistan batting line up and must accept their responsibility and demonstrate much needed fortitude and grit to defuse English fast bowling attack. If they leave early the arduous onus comes on the shoulders of Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed and on 42-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq and don’t expect them to play a sheet anchors’ role every time. Pakistan team must remember that the series is not over yet. Pakistan team should keep in mind that during the 2014 tour India had won an exciting Test at Lord’s, but went on to lose the series 3-1.
Leg spinner Yasir Shah spun a magic web to finish with a match tally of ten wickets. Rahat Ali opened up the game for Pakistan. Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir played the supporting role. Misbah will have to use them meticulously. Particularly, Yasir on whom England team management mighty have completed his work. Nevertheless, I wish Good Luck to Pakistan cricket team at Old Trafford.