On Friday night, Pakistan cruised to a five-wicket win
against Sri Lanka in their one-off Twenty20 International in Abu Dhabi. The
result capped a highly impressive run for Pakistan in their ‘home’ series as they
also won the three-Test contest 1-0 and the five-match One-day International
series 4-1.
On Saturday, the Pakistan flew out for Dhaka from Abu Dhabi
for an away series against Bangladesh that will include Tests, three ODIs and a
Twenty20 International. Compared to the series against Sri Lanka, their
assignment in Bangladesh is an easy one for the rampaging Pakistanis. Experts
are convinced that Pakistan won’t face many problems in beating the
Bangladeshis, regarded among the minnows in international cricket.
But ask Mohsin Khan and the former Pakistan Test opener will
tell you that his team will only be taking Bangladesh lightly at its own peril.
“They (Bangladesh) cannot be taken lightly as they will have
home advantage and we have to be very careful and I think it will be a very good
series in Bangladesh,” Mohsin said in an interview on Saturday.
“They always try hard and the upcoming series will be no
different.
The pressure will be on Pakistan as we will undoubtedly
start as favorites and will be expected to win in Bangladesh. As the underdogs,
Bangladesh have nothing to lose and I’m sure they will come hard at us and look
to upset ourselves.
“However I am very confident of my team and their ability
and the way they are playing at the moment, but let’s maintain our focus as we will
have to play good cricket to beat Bangladesh,” Mohsin told Pakpassion.net.
A lot more difficult assignment is awaiting Pakistan after
the Bangladesh tour as they will be facing England, currently one of the best
teams in the world, in a full series in the UAE in January-February next year.
Mohsin agrees that the England series will be a ‘real test’
for his charges.
“England are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world
in all formats and I expect that series to be a real test for Pakistan,” he said.
“However I like tough challenges and tests and I will tell
my players to rise to the challenge of playing one of the best sides in the world.
The phrase that springs to mind is ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get
going’ and that is the message that I will want to convey to the squad when
they come up against England.” Mohsin was all praise for captain Misbah-ul-Haq
and the rest of the team members for their series-winning triumphs against Sri
Lanka.
“Misbah-ul-Haq and the team have done a great job. I am just
trying to help the boys and doing my job but at the end of the day the players deserve
a tremendous amount of credit for their hard work,” he said.
“There is an unbelievable amount of talent in this group of
players and if they play according to their potential we can take on any team in
the world, anywhere.” Mohsin blamed ‘unfriendly’ pitches in the UAE for
low-scoring matches against Sri Lanka.
“The pitches weren’t really friendly for one-day cricket.
The ball was seaming, stopping and gripping off the pitch which becomes a bit difficult
for the batsmen to go for their shots. I’m not saying the pitches are bad, but
I think with the new rule changes and the nature of the pitches, then the
expected large scores were not possible from either the Sri Lankans or
Pakistan.”
