Misbah hails ‘remarkable turnaround’

LONDON: Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said it had been a “remarkable turnaround” for Pakistan after they secured a 75-run victory at Lord’s, six years after leaving the ground in disgrace following the spot-fixing scandal.

“It’s been a remarkable turnaround after the 2010 incident,” Misbah said at the presentation. “The team took real responsibility and these players showed a lot of respect for the game, fought throughout the six years and brought plenty of wins. Their on-and-off-the-field disciplines are really good and winning against a top side, who are really good in their home conditions, speaks volumes for this team and for all the players.

“It is one of the top wins as a captain and as a Pakistan team. I’m really proud of the team, everybody fought and came out with really good skills. Especially today, mentally everyone was strong. Yasir Shah in first and second innings and the fast bowlers bowled really well. Overall it was a good win for us.”

Talking of Amir, who claimed three wickets in the match, Misbah hoped that he would now be able to get on with his career. “He’s part of the team that has won the Test match, it will be one of the memorable days of his life and from here he can start his career again. He’s a good kid now, he’s a mature cricketer and he can prove to everyone that he’s a good bowler.”

Pakistan’s victory was set up by their first-innings total of 339, built around Misbah’s opening-day hundred, and he said that he knew his team had the bowling attack to make the most of those runs on the board.

“We always believe that if we cross 300 we have a chance, especially in the first innings, because we have a top spinner. And in the fourth innings when the pitch dries up they can put pressure on the opposition, the quicks are so good with reverse swing, and they can make it really difficult. They proved it today.”

And on his own performance, where he followed the hundred with a duck, he said with a smile: “It happens sometimes, you live by the sword you die by the sword. You have to back yourself. This is how you score a hundred and sometimes a zero.”

Misbah also dedicated the victory to Abdul Sattar Edhi, the Pakistani philanthropist who died earlier this month.