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Journalism of Courage
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq wants to start rebuilding the countrys cricketing image and remove the blot of spot-fixing with a good performance in the first Test against top-ranked side in the world,England.
You can just get your image back only by playing good cricket,by winning,by your good conduct in the field and out of the field, Misbah said on the eve of first of the three-Test series.
England captain Andrew Strauss hoped there will be no controversy this time,and that both teams play the game in the right way. It is important that we recognise our responsibilities and make sure that things dont escalate into something more serious, he said.
England come into the first Test having won its last six Test series,and Misbah said Pakistan will have to capitalise on any chances the visitors give them in order to spring a surprise. We have to be on top of our game all the time,thats the key for us,if we just do that we have a chance, he said.
The teesra
Pakistan players have been hyping a new type of delivery from Saeed Ajmal,who took 50 wickets in 2010,that the offspinner has dubbed the teesra. First the batsman have to just think about the off-spinner and the doosra, said Misbah. If he the batsman survives the two,then he can bowl the teesra.
England could win an ICC jackpot of 175,000 for topping Test rankings by winning the series,or even losing by no more than a one-game margin.
But Misbah said England may be more keen to prove that its players can handle the slow subcontinent wickets. They want to prove theyre a good team in Asia and show they can play well in these type of conditions, he said.
Fast bowler Stuart Broad bruised his foot while batting in the nets on Sunday,but Strauss was confident his pacer will be ready to go in Tuesdays match.
Like Misbah,Strauss will wait until the toss before deciding whether to play with two spinners after left-arm Monty Panesar did well in the warmup game against PCB XI. Its fantastic to see him back in England shirt again, Strauss said. You pick the side you think fits the conditions and allow you to win. and that8217;s all we will do come tomorrow Tuesday.8221;
