Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah-Ul-Haq (Photo Credit: PCB/Twitter)

Head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Misbah-ul-Haq feels that the Pakistan team will fare much better in their upcoming home Test series against South Africa than they did in the recent overseas tour. Pakistan lost their last three overseas tours in Australia, England, and New Zealand – whitewashed in two of them.

Under the newly appointed Test skipper, Babar Azam, Pakistan will now host Quinton de Kock’s men for two Tests starting 26th January at Karachi and Rawalpindi followed by a three-match T20I series at Lahore.

Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah-ul-Haq (Photo Credit – AFP)

Players have the potential and hunger to give best results: Misbah-ul-Haq

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have made some surprise changes in their squad to take on South Africa; senior players Mohammad Abbas, Shan Masood, and Haris Sohail have been dropped, while as many as 9 uncapped players are named in the 20-man squad.

Misbah-ul-Haq reckons that the team will play well in their home conditions despite being humbly thrashed in their recent series against Kane Williamson’s team – Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in their last two home Test series. The former captain is also looking forward to the youngsters called up in the squad and says that they have the ability and passion to defeat the visitors.

As quoted by news18.com, Misbah-ul-Haq said, “Playing at home ground is always encouraging for the players, and it reflected in our performances in the series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh last year. The series against South Africa is an important one, and I am sure the players selected in the squad have the potential and hunger to give best results in the series.”

Mark Boucher, South Africa, Australia, T20I
Mark Boucher. Credit: Getty Images

South Africa’s coach, Mark Boucher concurs with Misbah’s claim of Pakistan being a much stronger outfit at home than they are away. South Africa are coming off a series victory over Sri Lanka, however, Boucher says that playing Pakistan in Pakistan is a highly challenging task.

“Pakistan is a dangerous side at home; we will have to come up with a proper strategy to beat them at their own backyard. Pakistan bowlers will have home advantage, so this series will be a test for our batsmen, but once they are successful in occupying the crease, they will be able to score freely. We are excited to play in Pakistan again, and expect a great series ahead with all focus on the game,” Mark Boucher said.

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