Misbah-ul-Haq names his top-4 Pakistan players for the future

The Pakistan Cricket team is all set to lock horns with the Australians in the two-Test match series, starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on November 21. After having lost the Twenty20 International series comprehensively, the pressure is on Misbah-ul-Haq and co to make amends after what has been a forgettable tour thus far.

Pakistan is yet to win a Test match in Australia since 1995 and Misbah, who is under immense pressure courtesy a plethora of issues surrounding his role and the performance of the team, asserted that the visitors are aiming to win both the matches. The veteran also named the four Pakistani players to look out for in the future- Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Khushdil Shah, and Usman Qadir.

Young Naseem Shah has been in the news for his exploits in the domestic season and is being pipped as the next big thing. Khushdil Shah and Musa Khan made their debuts against Australia in the third T20I but failed to put any impression while Usman Qadir has been left to warm the bench.

“We want to win both matches. We will get to learn a lot from this experience. Playing here provides you with a good experience to play in other places as well. Players like Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Khushdil Shah and Usman Qadir are the future of Pakistan cricket,” Misbah said to CricketPakistan.com.pk.

Pakistan is currently locking horns with Australia A in a practice match at the Perth Stadium where Babar Azam (157) and Asad Shafiq (119) scored tone to give some hope to the beleaguered morale of the team-management. Coach cum selector Misbah feels that the batting line-up boasting of Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, and Iftikhar Ahmed will be a plus point for the tourists in the upcoming rubber.

“Our batting line is the plus point in the Test series against Australia. We will have to play good cricket. The Pakistan team is capable of winning both matches.  Batsmen Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq along with Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed are in fine form. If we are able to score more than 400 runs we will be able to give the hosts a tough time,” added Misbah.

The Pakistan bowling unit has a good mixture of youth and experience- Misbah

The former Pakistani captain also reckons that the Men in Green have a good amalgamation of youngsters like Naseem Shah, Musa Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi and experienced campaigners like Yasir Shah, who previously toured Down Under under Misbah back in 2017.

“Our bowling line contains some good young pacers such as fast-bowlers Naseem Shah, Musa Khan, and Shaheen Shah who along with leg-spinner Yasir Shah have the capacity to deliver a good performance. They have a great opportunity to perform Yasir Shah has already toured Australia. He has now arrived here with complete preparations.

I am hopeful he will not repeat his past mistakes and perform for the betterment of the team. It is important to take 20 wickets in order to win a Test match. We will have to perform well in all departments of the game against Australia. It is hard to keep morale high after the T20I loss. We are trying to get the best from the players,” he said.

In the ongoing game against Australia A, the Pakistani pacers seem to have vindicated what Misbah had said as Shaheen Afridi (1-19), Imran Khan (3-21) and Iftikhar Ahmed (2-4) wrecked through the top-order to reduce them to 6-44.

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