Kiwis to be tough challengers on home soil: Misbah

The entire team has to play quality cricket as a unit in New Zealand: Misbah.—AFP photo

LAHORE: Warning all the contenders not to underrate a ‘sting-crammed’ side like Pakistan in the World Cup, Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Monday predicted that New Zealand — despite their recent failures in Bangladesh and India — would be strong opponents on their home soil for his charges in the upcoming Test series.
“I think no one should consider New Zealand’s [poor] performances on Asian pitches and atmosphere, [because] they have always been tough rivals in their home conditions,” Misbah, who will lead Pakistan in the two-Test series in New Zealand next month, said during the national team’s training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Monday.
“Though [Pakistan] beating New Zealand is quite possible, to achieve this every member of the squad has to give his cent per cent. And the entire team have to play quality cricket as a unit,” Misbah, 36, added.
Pakistan, who start their tour to New Zealand on Dec 23 with a one-day warm-up against Auckland, will play their first Test from Jan 7-11 at Seddon Park, Hamilton followed by the second Test at the Basin Reserve, Wellington from Jan 15-19.
Asked if Pakistan’s bowling was potent enough to dismiss New Zealand batsmen in Tests, Misbah said after his bowlers did a commendable job against South Africa on predominantly batting-friendly tracks in the UAE, he hoped they would do better on relatively livelier New Zealand pitches.
“But I believe every department of the game should click to earn positive results. And for that every bowler and batsman needs to keep his confidence level high because this [joint effort] makes a difference,” he insisted.