He was India captain Rohit Sharma's opening partner in the home T20 series against Afghanistan earlier this year but his place looked under threat as he struggled for runs in the IPL
Pakistan draw inspiration from positives for third match, says Mushtaq Ahmed
Pakistan’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed has said his side would concentrate on the ‘positives’ rather than the negatives for motivation in the third and final ODI against Bangladesh.
Published : 21 April 2015, 03:13 PM
Updated : 21 April 2015, 03:13 PM
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Bangladesh, which has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, and Pakistan are scheduled to play the match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.
“We have a new team with plenty of youngsters. It is a matter of one good innings and one very good spell that can change everything. We will play hard and positive cricket,” said Mushtaq at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Pakistan lost the first ODI by 78 runs and the second by 7 wickets, and have thus already suffered their first series defeat against Bangladesh in this tour.
“When you are hurt, you look at positive things. We have two newcomers who got fifties in the two games. There are a plenty of positives in our dressing-room; so we have to focus on them rather than on the negatives.”
Youngsters Mohammad Rizwan and Saad Nasim scored a half-century each in the first two ODIs.
Bangladesh whitewashed New Zealand 4-0 in their five-match home series in 2010. The other had been washed out.
The former Pakistan leg-spinner also complimented Bangladesh.
“They (Bangladesh) won against New Zealand 4-0. They are a good team now. At the moment we are in a rebuilding stage.
“We have to give credit to Bangladesh. They are a confident side. I think our bowlers and batsmen are very positive and want to deliver the best.”
Mushtaq, however, conceded that his side was very inexperienced.
“It will take time for (Pakistan) guys to understand things like five fielders inside the circle, two bouncers and two new balls. These guys have no idea. But things will change.
He also urged his players to look forward to the match on Wednesday instead of looking back at the previous matches.
“We got to remember our strength. We are used to the conditions. It is just a matter of confidence.”
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