Misbah - Form means nothing

Pakistan batsman preparing for new test in Pallekele

Last updated: 7th March 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Misbah - Form means nothing

Misbah: Takes nothing for granted

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Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq says his side's recent one-day series victory over New Zealand will "count for nothing" in Pallekele on Tuesday.

The Black Caps slipped to a 3-2 defeat when they hosted Pakistan in a six-match series in late January and early February.

Pakistan currently sit top of World Cup Group A after wins against Kenya, Sri Lanka and Canada and will be looking to keep up their perfect record when they face New Zealand.

But despite victory in the 50-over series still being fresh in their minds, Misbah believes that the result holds no significance ahead of the clash.

"We have done well against them in World Cups and in the recent series there but that win will count for nothing as it's a new game at a new place," the skipper said.

The contest will be the first one-day international ever held at the new Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Misbah admits it will be a step into the unknown.

Challenge

He added: "Of course, it adds to the challenge because we don't know how the pitch will behave but that's the same for both teams, and as far as we are concerned we are up to the challenge."

Pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar is expected to come back into the side after being rested last time out against Canada, while spinner Abdur Rehman will also be available after recovering from a leg injury.

Skipper Shahid Afridi has claimed 14 wickets in three matches so far and New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is well aware of the threat posed by the Pakistan attack.

Although they fell well short against Australia, Vettori says he was been pleased with the performances of his side in the convincing wins against Kenya and Zimbabwe.

He said: "I'm not sure you could ask for too much more, we wanted complete performances out of ourselves and that we gave in the last match."

Action at the new Pallekele venue has so far been blighted by bad weather, with persistent rains causing a draw in the Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in December and World Cup warm-up matches also being moved due to adverse conditions.

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