KARACHI: Former chief selector Iqbal Qasim on Sunday backed Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq to make history in the upcoming series against West Indies, beginning later this month.
Iqbal, an ex-Pakistan spinner who bagged 171 wickets during a 50-Test career from 1976 to 1988, said Misbah is very determined to set the record straight on the Caribbean soil where Pakistan have never won a Test series.
“I always say this whenever a new series is starting both [competing] teams have even opportunities to emerge victorious. In Pakistan’s case, this is yet another moment to make history in the West Indies and the team Misbah would lead has the potential to beat the hosts this time,” Iqbal said in an exclusive interview with Dawn.
Iqbal stressed that despite Pakistan’s batting has been a source of concern there is no reason for some of the established players to make notable contributions when the series begins on April 22 at the Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, which will be the 50th Test between these teams.
“Generally, there is unpredictability about Pakistan batting, particularly in the modern era. But having said this, Pakistan have seldom performed as batting unit consistently,” Iqbal argued. “Even when we had a world-class batting during the days of Zaheer Abbas, Majid Khan and Javed Miandad, it was never consistently found performing. But in the current scenario, I think you at least have the chance to prove your worthiness as a reliable batting] unit.
“But coming to the upcoming matches, there is a lot at stake for the likes of Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Misbah. Younis is in a carefree position to express himself with the magical figure of 10,000, only a handful [23 to be exact] runs away for this great stalwart of Pakistan cricket.
“Azhar has a point to prove after being relieved of ODI captaincy. He would be more focussed than ever before and continue from where he left off during the last series against the West Indies [when he scored 302 in the first Test in Dubai] since he is a fighter.
“The same applies to Asad because he is another batsman who is raring to go after being omitted from the ODI format. As for Misbah there is a personal incentive for him to sign off in grand style. He has regained form that deserted in New Zealand and Australia with two centuries [in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-II] for Faisalabad recently,” Iqbal added.
The two-time head of national selection committee maintained the grey area for Pakistan is their batting.
“Oh definitely, batting has been our problem area since there are just a handful of other guys who are trustworthy like Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed. Therefore, everyone should contribute for the team.”
Assessing Pakistan’s bowling resources, the former player threw his weight behind Yasir Shah, the leg-spinner who was completely out of sorts in Australia Tests during which he averaged 84 per wicket.
“In my opinion, one just cannot write off Yasir. He has been a match-winner since he first played for Pakistan and we shouldn’t negate his contribution. The Australia tour would have given Yasir something to think about. You can’t be hoping to take wickets in big numbers all the time,” he commented.
“There will be days one bowls exceptionally well for no reward and then on some, he may not be bowling well as he would like, but yet takes more wickets. He is how the game goes on.”
Iqbal also backed Sohail Khan for the upcoming Tests.
“I think Pakistan can make good use of his vast experience of first-class cricket. The selectors may have had a reason not to pick Sohail for limited-overs matches but being the leading Pakistan Super League wicket-taker, Sohail surely should be brought back for the Test series.”
While praising the rising Shadab Khan, Iqbal warned Inzamam-ul-Haq and his fellow selectors against rushing the teenager for the longest form of cricket.
“They [selectors] should not indulge in experiments at this point in time because I feel Shadab should not be put under unnecessary pressure. He is still very raw at international level and we must let him graduate gradually. This is something I’m emphasising from experience,” he said. “Thus far, the selectors have done well. There is lot of purpose and direction from them.”
Iqbal also warned Pakistan to be wary of West Indies in familiar territory.
“Historically, we have won just five of the 20 odd [23 to be precise] in the West Indies and lost 11. Whatever the strengths and weaknesses of the home side are, they are somehow always tough to beat. They may not have the players of the class of Brian Lara or Shivnarine Chanderpaul but as a unit they are a good team in familiar conditions.”
The second Test will be played at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown (Barbados) from April 30 to May 4 before the series ends with the final Test at Roseau’s Windsor Park in Dominica from My 10 to 14.
The Test series will be preceded by three One-day Internationals at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on April 7, 9 and 11.
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