Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq claims that Peshawar Zalmi has the potential to lift the Pakistan Super League (PSL) trophy for the second time.
“If we improve our performance in all three departments by ten to 15 percent then I think the team can win two matches,” Misbah told reporters here at National Stadium. Responding to a question about Zalmi’s Wednesday’s playoff against Quetta Gladiators which the latter won, Misbah said: “It’s part of the game. The most important thing for us was that everything was going wrong for us but still we needed 14 runs off last four balls — we were very close to winning the match.”
The former Pakistan captain further added:
Yesterday match, you can say, was an off-day for our team. I can say the way we staged a comeback and the way Pollard and Sammy played was because of Peshawar Zalmi’s fighting spirit. In every PSL, Peshawar have performed well. They are match winners and can make the game from any stage. I think all boys are trying their hardest. I think Quetta was better than us.
He said that youngsters would take time before performing with the bat in T20 cricket as it was a pressure game.
T20 is a pressure game. As a batsman you need a lot of experience here. If we see the international players who are scoring runs they have a lot of experience. They have been playing in each league around the world for several years. In T20 if you look at Pakistani players, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have batted well. These are experienced players. In T20 cricket a batsman has very little time. If our youngsters get chance regularly in the PSL they will improve. But I think it’s too early for the upcoming youngsters.
He urged the players, particularly youngsters, to be disciplined if they wanted to play top cricket for long. “There are rules for all players. You have to be disciplined. Your food, sleep and training should be on time. As a player you need to lead a disciplined life if you are to perform consistently in the long run.
The youngsters who follow these rules have better fitness level. 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.
He said that all were good teams in the PSL. “All are good teams and a single good innings can turn a match around. The way Delport made hundred, Kamran played a couple of innings and the way Ingram is playing I think all teams are of equal strength,” Misbah said.
When asked how he felt in the new environment with Zalmi he said he was enjoying. “It is strange when you switch over. But as a professional it is our duty wherever we go to give our input in our capacity. Here too there are many players with whom I have played cricket in Pakistan team. The environment is good. We have a good coach and Younis Khan is also there with whom I have spent time in Pakistan team. I am enjoying cricket,” Misbah said.
“There is no big difference. In Islamabad United, too, I spent three good years,” he added. Misbah led Islamabad United to two titles — first in 2016 and then in 2018.
