Pakistan will be under-prepared for India series: Misbah

September 14th, 2008 Aimon · 1 Comment

Source: Sify

Pakistan vice captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes his team might face major problems in the crunch home series against India early next year as they were robbed of international cricket this year with the cancellation of home series against Australia as well as the Champions Trophy.

Misbah, one of Pakistan’s most prolific batsmen, pointed out that the team will not be playing much competitive cricket over the next few months and could end up ill-prepared for the series against traditional rivals India.

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India is to play three Tests and five One-day Internationals in Pakistan during January-February next year. Pakistan would be looking to avenge its Test and one-day series defeats against India in India in 2007.

But Misbah said that it would be a really tough task in the present circumstances. “We haven’t played any Test match this year and rarely played against top quality teams in one-dayers as well,” he said.

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“The postponement of the Champions Trophy has further damaged our cause and I’m afraid we might suffer because of the lack of quality cricket ahead of the series against India,” Misbah added.

Because of this, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have been running from pillar to post to set up international games for their team later this year. The PCB has also requested the West Indies to play two Tests here in November.

Misbah said that he and his fellow players should make the most of domestic games to regain their peak fitness and rhythm before the India series. “The series against India is our most important assignment and we will have to ensure that we are fully ready in spite of all the problems,” he concluded.