Misbah-ul-Haq raises concern about dip in the form of three Pakistan Test players

Pakistan cricket team had a horrendous tour to Australia, where they lost T20I series by 2-0, followed by a whitewash in the longer format. They are consistently performing poor across all the formats since long. After the 2019 World Cup upset, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replaced Mickey Arthur and appointed Misbah-ul-Haq as the chief selector and the head coach of the national squad in order to achieve good results.

But, under his mentorship, the side is yet to win their first game in T20Is and Tests. Now, Misbah has come out raising concerns over the form of three players in the team. In the latest ICC Test team ranking, the Men in Green have been dropped to the eighth position after getting thrashed by Australia in two-match series.

A sudden dip in the form of the players is the main reason behind the woeful performances given by the Pakistan team. Only Babar Azam looked sensational with the bat in Australia and other batting mainstays like Azhar Ali, Shan Masood and Asad Shafiq failed to perform.

Misbah ul Haq talks about players performances 

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan head coach-cum-chief selector said that the form of the main players like Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah is a matter of concern. He also added that the conditions in Australia were not suitable for the spinners because of which Yasir Shah failed.

According to Misbah, Nathan Lyon also struggled to get a turn from the wicket on Day 2 and Day 3 and was struggling to grab wickets in his home conditions. He feels that Yasir Shah has given good performances in Asia, so they are expecting for him to regain his form ahead of Sri Lanka Test series because he is match-winner for their side.

“It is a worry for us, Yasir [Shah] and [Mohammad] Abbas are our main bowlers and some of our main batsmen like Azhar [Ali], their form is also concerning for us,” Misbah ul Haq said on the Pakistan Cricket Board as quoted by Cricket Pakistan

“When you come and play in these conditions, it’s difficult for spinners. Lyon got wickets on the last day [in second Test] also, before that he had two wickets. In Asian conditions, Yasir’s performances have always been good and we’re looking forward to him stepping up there and performing well because he’s our main match-winner,” he added.

Pakistan hold a poor record of facing defeats in a succession on the away soil.  They have now lost 14 consecutive Test matches in Australia.