Published: Dec 22, 2016, 04:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2016, 04:25 PM (IST)
Melbourne: Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower has insisted that he is not worried about skipper Misbah-ul-Haq’s dip in form and instead backed him to rediscover the same in the remaining two Tests of the three-match series against Australia. Misbah managed just four and five runs in the two innings of the opening day-night Test at the Gabba, his poorest score in the last two years since his combined eight runs against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2014. However, Flower believes Misbah’s strength and resilience would help him to return to his form sooner than later. “He has got the mental strength and resilience to come back and I’m sure a good innings is just round the corner,” cricket.com.au quoted Flower as saying.
Describing Misbah as a `class` player, the Pakistan batting coach said the 42-year-old had gone through such kind of a trot earlier and, therefore, exactly knows how to make a comeback. “He doesn’t seem worried. He is always mentally strong and relaxed. He has got a lot of experience. He is just going through a bit of a trot but he’s been through these periods before and he’s a class player,” Flower said following Pakistan’s practice session at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Test at Melbourne
The skipper has endured a lean trot, notching up just 57 runs at an average of 11.40 in his last five Test innings. Pakistan, who are currently trailing 0-1 in the series following their narrow defeat by 39 runs in the first Test, will play their second match against Australia at the MCG beginning on Boxing Day.
