“SLPL is an ideal opportunity before Australian series”: Misbah-ul-Haq

www.pakpassion.net: The inaugural edition of the Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL) T20 tournament got underway on 11 August and, as expected, has provided many international players with the ideal preparation just a month before the Twenty20 World Cup.

This is an opportunity which many Pakistani players have taken advantage of as is evident with the enthusiasm with which they have embraced this competition.

The tournament which is nearing an exciting climax with semi-final stages beginning on 28 August has been largely seen as a success for the organisers and is fast capturing the imagination of local and international audiences.

Amongst the big names of Pakistani cricket that are featuring in the SLPL, Misbah-ul-haq is one player who is no stranger to the excitement associated with the T20 format. As many will recall, it was Misbah who became an instant sensation with his role in guiding Pakistan to the final of the first T20 World Cup back in 2007 and his unique batting style has made him one of the many star attractions on show in Sri Lanka.

In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, the Kandurata Warriors batsman and Pakistan Test and one day captain spoke about his experience in the tournament and how it’s important in assisting with preparation for the Australian series and the ICC T20 World Cup.

Misbah, who shares the dressing room of the Kandurata Warriors with some world-renowned cricketers such as Sanath Jayasuriya and Saeed Ajmal, has participated in four games, but is clearly impressed by what he has seen of the SLPL.

“It has been a phenomenal experience for me. I have really been impressed by the fantastic settings and facilities in these games as well as the hospitality provided by the management. As far as the actual tournament is concerned, to me the quality of opposition, playing with and against international players – all these factors add up for a great environment to play cricket in and I am sure the audiences have enjoyed it as well.”

Unfortunately for the Pakistani Test captain, his short stint thus far in the tournament has not been as fruitful as he would have wished, with a combined score of 40 runs over four games. Misbah accepts that he hasn’t performed as well as he was expected to, but has no doubts that his fortunes will change.

“Obviously, it’s been a slight disappointment so far on a personal basis but, as we know, this is part and parcel of the game. One cannot dwell on the past and I am hoping to improve my performance and help my team to advance further. I expect to work and improve on this in the future games but above all my aim is to enjoy this experience and give the best for my team here.”

In line with the aspirations of other fellow Pakistani cricketers and similar to sentiments expressed by the Pakistani Coach Dav Whatmore, Misbah is clear about the benefits of playing in a high profile tournament like the SLPL so close to the impending series against Australia in UAE and the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

The series against Australia in UAE will be held with Pakistan having last played an international match over a month ago. To Misbah, the SLPL represents a great opportunity for some valuable match practice ahead of a crucial period of international cricket.

“We haven’t played international cricket for almost a month and to all our players, the SLPL represents an ideal opportunity to get much needed match practice before the Australian series and the upcoming T20 World Cup. Although the conditions in UAE will be different to Sri Lanka, merely playing against quality opposition will really help our cause,” Misbah said.

Several selected players for the Pakistani T20 World Cup squad are participating in the SLPL and since the matches are being played at Pallekele and Colombo – venues that will also host the Twenty20 World Cup games, the ongoing tournament is expected to play a vital role in the team’s preparations for the biggest international cricket event of the year.

Although not part of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, Misbah is quite clear about the advantage that Pakistani players can derive by participating in the SLPL, especially when it comes to acclimatising to the country and its conditions.

“It is a great opportunity for our T20 World Cup Squad to get to grips with the conditions that they will play in when the World Cup is held here. The experience of playing at venues that will ultimately host World Cup T20 games will surely be a big advantage for our players,” he concluded.