Misbah confident Zalmi will reach PSL-4 final

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday was confident that his team Peshawar Zalmi had the strength and could win two matches and reach final of the PSL-4.

“If we improve our performance in all three departments ten to 15 percent then I think the team has the strength and can win two matches,” Misbah told reporters here at National Stadium on Thursday.

Responding to a question about Zalmi’s Wednesday’s playoff against Quetta Gladiators which the later won, Misbah said: “Its part of the game. The most important thing for us was that our everything was going wrong but despite that we needed 14 runs off last four balls. It was a situation where we had reached very close to win the match. Its a big plus for us,” Misbah said.

“Yesterday match, you can say, was an off-day for our team. Still I can say the way we staged a comeback and the way both Pollard and Sammy played the innings it is because of the Peshawar Zalmi’s fighting spirit that we finished at the top. In every PSL Peshawar performed well. They are match-winners and can make the game from any stage. I think all boys are trying their hard and the rest is that the team which performs on the day always wins and I think Quetta was better than us,” Misbah said.

Misbah said that youngsters would take time before performing with the bat in T20 cricket as it was a pressure game. Misbah urged the players, particularly youngsters, to follow discipline if they wanted to play top cricket for long.

“There are rules for all players. Your discipline should be fairly good in terms of everything. Your food, what you drink, sleep and training should be on time. As a player you need to lead a disciplined life if you are in the long run to perform consistently. We lack in this thing a bit and we should make it better. Those youngsters who follow these rules, I think their fitness level is very good. There are also youngsters, who are in Pakistan team, they are fit and take care of these things. The rest of the youngsters should also look at these things. If you are to perform consistently you will have to give sacrifices,” Misbah said. Misbah said that all were good teams in the PSL.

When asked how he felt in the new environment with Zalmi he said he was enjoying. “It always feel strange when you switch over to another team. But as a professional it is our duty wherever we go we should give our input in our respective capacity. Here too there are many players with whom I have played cricket in Pakistan team. The environment here is good. We have a good coach and Younis Khan is also there with whom I have spent time in Pakistan team. I think overall I am enjoying cricket while representing Peshawar Zalmi,” Misbah said.

“There is no such difference. In Islamabad United, too, I spent three good years. I always feel happy wherever I play,” Misbah said.Misbah led Islamabad United to two titles during his stint which lasted for three seasons.