Misbah eyes rare Australia-series win

In 58 years, Pakistan has won only four series and a one-off Test at home venues against Australia. The last time Pakistan won a home series against Australia was in 1994. Having taken the lead with a comprehensive win in the ongoing series, played in Pakistan's makeshift home, Misbah-ul-Haq is very keen to add to that list.

"It's very important to win as it has been a long time since we won," Misbah said in Abu Dhabi. "We have a big chance, as a team, to win back our confidence, and especially with the way the boys have performed recently, they are very confident. So I think we have a chance and if we remain focused we can do it."

The second and final Test of the series begins in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, and also provides Misbah with the chance to become Pakistan's most successful Test captain - he has 13 wins from 30 games, while Imran Khan and Javed Miandad have 14 victories apiece, but from 48 and 34 matches respectively. He said he will not be playing for the record, though. "I am not aware about the records, the only intention at the moment is to play good cricket and maintain our performance level and get it improved. There is always a complaint that Pakistan doesn't perform with consistency, so our entire focus is to make ourselves consistent."

In the first Test, in Dubai, Pakistan had dominated Australia all through, having arguably held the edge in all but one session across five days to win by 221 runs. However, Misbah was wary of the possible backlash from Australia. "Every time we play our mindset is basically is to win, but it's a Test cricket and sometimes there is a possibility to carve out another way, which is a draw. But when two teams are good, you always have to go with a positive mind set so we will try to win this one," he said. "Australia aren't a minor team, they are the best team in world.

"What we are aiming is to do is repeat the good things we had done in the previous game in Dubai, and perform in the same way. I think if we fill the basic roles well, then good results will come. The most important will be to do the basics of Tests in the best manner. Let's hope for the best.

"Important part is the hunger to perform, which is there. As the way we lost the two-match series earlier [against Sri Lanka in August] the boys were hurt, but they were determined and focused. All had the spirit to perform well, hence it came our way in the end. All the individual efforts played a combined role, so we will strive to do the same things again."

In the five Tests played in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan have never been beaten - they've won twice, and drawn three times. The Abu Dhabi pitch, according to Misbah, is different from the Dubai track where the spinners had dominated. "This pitch looks a bit different, and normally it is different from Dubai because it is harder and sometimes has little bit more pace and bounce. But given the strength of our team, it looks good as we have a good record at the pitch, as we haven't lost here."

Pakistan had played in Dubai with a new-look bowling unit, without the suspended Saeed Ajmal, and Misbah said he was comfortable with the current attack. "I think credit must be given to the bowlers that they did not make us feel Ajmal's absence. The way they contributed it was wonderful," he said. "Ajmal is a great bowler and we had relied on him for so long, and on Abdur Rehman, but these bowlers being new played their roles.

"You feel Ajmal's absence when you play here [in the UAE] and the Australians had not played him much and he could have played a major role. But I think these bowlers filled in for Ajmal in a good way. It's great that they fulfilled their roles and played a key role in the win."