Pakistan need to be consistent to be the No. 1 team again: Misbah-ul-Haq

The Pakistani team was flying high since their triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy, where they outplayed rivals India to be crowned as the champions for the first time. But they got a stern reality check very recently when a struggling Sri Lanka trounced them in their own ‘adopted’ backyard. Getting bundled out for just 114 runs while chasing a target of just 135 runs, Sarfraz Ahmed’s men had to face some tough questions after a long time.

Many are of the opinion that this Pakistani Test side is going through a transition and a replacement for former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is yet not found. However, the 43-year-old demands consistency from the team, as he feels it is the only way to regain their prestigious No. 1 Test side’s crown. He was of the opinion that the Men in Green must play as a unit in all three departments and win more matches.

“I am happy that the new players are performing, but they need to be consistent if Pakistan has to become No. 1 again. You need to win more matches and play as a unit in all three departments. Right now, the team is on the right path, but they need to keep on improving their performance and fitness too,” said Misbah, as per reports in Gulf News Pakistan.

Speaking about the humiliating defeat, the man from Mianwali, Punjab said: “When this sort of performance happens (losing the first Test to Sri Lanka) I will be missed, but overall it is an young team and we know before the series that the threat of Herath is there because he is such a good bowler.”

After a long time, international cricket returned to Pakistan with the World XI tour, as expect Zimbabwe, no team toured Pakistan since the bus attack incident which took place 8 years ago. Speaking about the World XI tour, Misbah added, “The World XI match was a massive step and everyone is hopeful and that international cricket will get revived soon. The people of Pakistan are happy at the moment and are hoping for more international cricket soon.”

Champions Trophy win was a big win

Sarfraz lifting the ‘mini World Cup’ is something the Pakistani fans will cherish for a long, long time, not just because it was the first CT triumph for Pakistan, but because they thrashed their heavyweight arch-rivals India. When asked about it, the owner of over 11,000 Test runs said “Champions Trophy win was a big win for Pakistan. I am proud of them as they fought back after the first game (against India). It is such a big achievement because everybody fought for the team, they played fearless cricket and that is what is needed from the team. In limited overs cricket, Pakistan is a power and what they need is little more confidence.”