Misbah to captain Pakistan on England tour

ISLAMABAD — Ageing Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq Monday confirmed he will not only lead his side in its four-match series in England this summer, but is determined to play on until next year’s tour of Australia. He is Pakistan’s most successful Test captain, having led his country to 20 wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats in his 42 matches in charge — a better record than the legendary Imran Khan. But his desire to continue has been in doubt since Pakistan’s 2-0 win over England last November, with doubts over his hunger to continue compounded by a calf injury in January that flared up during the Pakistan Super League a month later. Speaking to AFP, Misbah, who turns 42 next month, said he had now made up his mind and was determined to play on, pending form and fitness. “I am working on my fitness,” he told AFP. “I am trying to get a contract with a county so that I can get some practice ahead of the England tour but if that doesn’t come through then I will be touring England with Pakistan ‘A’ ahead of the four Tests to get acclimatized.” Pakistan’s second string will play four-day matches with county teams in June before the national team contests two three-day practice matches against Somerset and Sussex counties. The first of four Tests will start at Lord’s from July 14. Surprisingly, Misbah has not played a single Test in England during a 61-match career — and the fast paced tracks are expected to Test the reflexes of the veteran. “I know it’s a big challenge, so I am doing the best preparations for the tour and realize the strength of the opposition,” said Misbah. “After the England tour I am planning to play until the Australia tour as there is not that much gap between the two series. “All my plans are related to fitness and form and that’s my priority,” he added. Pakistan will play two Tests against the West Indies in September and October followed by two Tests in New Zealand (November) and three in Australia (December-January 2017). Inzamam confirmed Pakistan Monday appointed former captain and batting great Inzamamul Haq as its new chief selector. The 46-year-old resigned as Afghanistan coach Sunday to take on his new job, arguably among the most thankless in the sport with the holder routinely turfed out following the team’s failure in a high profile event. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters: “Inzamam agreed to take over as chief selector and we are thankful to Afghanistan cricket board for releasing him,” adding his tenure will be “until further orders.” Former spinner Tauseef Ahmed, all-rounder Wasim Haider and opener Wajahatullah Wasti will round out the selection committee whose first task will be to pick squads for the tour of England. Pak-WI series in UAE Recently crowned World Twenty20 champion the West Indies has turned down a request from Pakistan to play matches in the country due to security fears, a senior official said Monday. Pakistan was due to host the West Indies in two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 internationals in September and October this year. Nearly all the country’s home series have been played in the neutral grounds of the UAE since a 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, but Pakistan had hoped the T20 leg of West Indies’ tour could be played in Lahore. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said: “We wanted the Twenty20s to be played in Pakistan and made an effort but the West Indies Cricket Board have refused saying they have security fears, so the full series will be played in (the) United Arab Emirates.” — Agencies