Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Sunday warned his side against complacency as they gear up to battle it out with Australia in the third and final One Day International of the three-match series, in Sharjah today, September 3, 2012.
The three-ODI series is currently levelled 1-1, as Australia won the opening one-dayer in Sharjah by four wickets before Pakistan defeated them in the second match, at Abu Dhabi by seven wickets.
But Misbah said that despite Friday’s comprehensive win, they need to be wary Michael Clarke and Co.
“Australia are a top side. So, we have to play really well in the next game,” said the Pakistan skipper during a media encounter on the eve of the third ODI, in Sharjah. “They will come hard at us and we have to get ready for the next game,” he insisted.
Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed played key role in Pakistan’s victory on Friday, sharing an opening stand of 66 runs, in their successful 249-run chase. After Hafeez holed out in the 12th over, Jamshed (97) shared a 101-run stand with Azhar Ali (59 not out) to put Pakistan well on course to a seven-wicket victory.
Misbah is looking to the openers to spark again tonight to help the side seal the series, with a victory at Sharjah.
“Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed are naturally aggressive batsmen. If they stay at the crease, they will score runs quickly,” said the 38-year-old middle-order batsman, who scored 26 runs in Sharjah and unbeaten 35 in Abu Dhabi, on Friday.
“Jamshed, especially, played many shots and had a wonderful balance. The key for us was that he batted through and he made this chase easy,” he added further.
The Pakistan skipper also hinted at fielding a four-pronged spin attack in the series final, however he made it clear that, “Playing a fourth spinner depends on what sort of wicket we get in Sharjah.”
In case Pakistan fields a spin-heavy attack, either of seamers Sohail Tanvir and Junaid Khan would have to make way for Shahid Afridi, who missed the second one-dayer due to back spasms.
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