|
India v Pakistan, Jaipur, 5th ODI
It's unfair to compare me with Inzamam: Misbah
George Binoy in Jaipur
November 17, 2007
|
Misbah-ul-Haq knows he needs to improve on his role as a finisher in the Pakistan line-up
© AFP
|
|
Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan middle-order batsman, is fast becoming his team's nearly man. Given the finisher's role, he often begins confidently, steadily builds his innings, but has developed a habit of not finishing the job.
"Yes, that [not finishing] is on my mind, that I am missing out," Misbah said on the eve of the final ODI against India in Jaipur. "In each match I go out there, wanting to improve from my previous performance."
During the Mohali run-chase, Misbah got out for 49 in the 47th over, leaving Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir to take Pakistan to victory. In Kanpur, he scored 38 off 47 balls but was bowled in the 42nd over, when Pakistan needed him to accelerate towards the target and, in Gwalior, Misbah's dismissal for 40 in the 48th over was one of the primary reasons Pakistan couldn't score more than 255.
The pressure on Misbah is greater for he's constantly reminded of the person he replaced in the one-day team - Inzamam-ul-Haq. Misbah, however, said such comparisons were unfair since his role is different to the one Inzamam played.
"I feel it is unfair to compare me with the person I replaced in the team," Misbah said. "I am coming in at No. 6 and I get 10-12 overs. I am trying to improve every match and I want to convert my 30s into 60s and 70s."
He will have only one more opportunity, though, as Pakistan aim for a consolation win to finish the series 2-3 rather than 4-1. Misbah, however, felt that Pakistan hadn't been outplayed comprehensively by India.
"Losing 3-1 doesn't mean there is a huge gap between the two teams," Misbah said. "Apart from Gwalior, the matches have been close. It doesn't mean we are playing poor cricket. We also have a young captain [Shoaib Malik] and some changes have taken place in the side. Let's see how we do in the next few months."
Pakistan are gearing up for the first Test which begins on November 22 in Delhi and Misbah said it was important to win in Jaipur to take some confidence into the Test series.
"When you lose two-three series it does affect the players and pressure builds on the team. We are trying to win and only that way can we change things. We want to win the last ODI and make a strong comeback during the rest of the tour."
George Binoy is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo
© Cricinfo
|
