'Certainly a bright future ahead for us' - Misbah-ul-Haq optimistic about the rise of Pakistan cricket

Pakistan cricket team had the forgettable year 2019 as they performed extremely poor across all the formats. Pakistan’s cricket board changed the team management but that also didn’t work out. And now, Misbah-ul-Haq has come out with a motivating statement to give some confidence to the players going into the year 2020.

The Men in Green failed to qualify for the semi-finals in the ICC World Cup 2019. Later on, they suffered a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the T20 series in their own backyard. Also, Australia outclassed them in the Test series with sheer dominance. However, Pakistan ended their year on a high note as they defeated the Islanders in the second Test of the two-match series by a margin of 263 runs. It also helped them in winning the series by 1-0.

Misbah-ul-Haq opines on the future of Pakistan Cricket Team

Misbah-ul-Haq, the chief selector and head coach of Pakistan stated that his team ended 2019 on a high note. A sudden dip in the form of main players like Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan in the crucial time was the main reason behind Pakistan not being able to qualify for the semi-final of the mega event. He added the fact that his side was the number one team in the shorter format but their winning ratio has seen a sudden drop.

The former player also pointed out that the current team has great potential but they need to improve on certain things in white-ball and red-ball cricket. Moreover, the addition of new players is also making their way into the team. He is hopeful of a bright future in the year 2020.

“Pakistan ended 2019 on a high note with a victory against Sri Lanka, but, overall, it was a tough year for Pakistan in Test cricket. In white-ball cricket, our mainstays like Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan, on the back of whom we had won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, lost form at a crucial time which saw us suffer in the ODI World Cup and T20I format.”

“Though, we managed to stay number one in the format throughout the year. Overall, our win ratio in T20I cricket has fallen. Going further, we have to improve a lot of things in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. This team has enough potential and new boys are also making their way in international cricket. There’s certainly a bright future ahead for us,” Misbah-ul-Haq said as quoted by Pakistan Cricket Board.

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