Mushfiq wary of Younis, Misbah threats

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim is chalking out plans to deal with Pakistan’s batting pillars Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq in the forthcoming Test series.

The first Test of the two-match series kicks off at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on Tuesday.

Much of Pakistan’s batting hopes in the Test series against Bangladesh ride on the experience of the two veterans.

“They are great batsmen in Test cricket, if not legendary. Their arrival has strengthened (Pakistan’s) batting,” Mushfiq said at the pre-match conference on Monday.

“Our bowlers’ primary target will be to keep these two key players under pressure, so that we can get them out quickly.”

Younis is Pakistan’s premier batsman with 8,327 runs in 96 Tests averaging 53.37. The 37-year-old right-hander has scored 28 centuries and 29 fifties.

The captain poses a huge threat too. Misbah, who retired from ODIs after the World Cup, has scored 3,736 runs in 53 matches, averaging 49.15 with eight hundreds and 26 half-centuries.

Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali has shown sparks of brilliance in the 50-over series as the experience of Mohammad Hafeez can never be underplayed. 

Bangladesh have plans for them, too, said Mushfiq.

Mushfiq and his Pakistan counterpart both act as the batting anchor of their teams. Mushfiq wants to stay forward in fight.

“All teams want their captains to lead from the front. Obviously, I want to do the same. (I) will try to play a big innings…”