Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan insisted Friday that the comprehensive ten wicket win over the world's best Test team England will boost the image of his team. "Our aim is to provide a boost to the nation and fans of Pakistan cricket, and to show the world that there is more to Pakistan cricket than just negatives like spot-fixing," Khan told AFP on Friday.
Pakistan romped to a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series with two days to spare as England crumbled to 160 in their second innings with Umar Gul (4-63), Saeed Ajmal (3-42) and Abdul Rehman (3-37) sharing the spoils. Khan said the team were determined to improve their performances and their image.
"This group of players is playing an important role in improving the image of Pakistan cricket, by playing tough cricket and winning consistently and therefore showing the world that Pakistani cricketers are among the best and they deserve respect," said Khan. Khan took over as interim coach after Waqar Younis quit the post in September last year. The 56-year-old was retained for this series but is likely to be replaced by former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore next month.
Khan praised off-spinner Ajmal for getting his second ten-wicket haul in Test cricket. "Ajmal was brilliant and when you play against the best team in the world then getting ten wickets is a big achievement, but I would say that Gul, Rehman and Aizaz Cheema all bowled well and deserve credit," said Khan, a former opener.
Khan said Pakistan's good start gave them the upper hand. "We had a wonderful start to the Test match and after getting five early wickets we thought that the game was in our hands and we knew that if we get a good lead we can put pressure on England and that happened to our plan," said Khan. England, who won the toss and decided to bat, were left struggling at 52-5 at lunch on the opening day - a position from where they could never recover.
Khan also praised the good job done by the batsmen. "After we got to 338 (in first innings) we had a confident feeling that now we can bowl our way to the victory and Gul provided that with a brilliant spell, we were expecting a win but not inside three days," said Khan. Pakistan gained a 146-run lead on the back of half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez (88), Adnan Akmal (61), Taufiq Umar (58) and Misbah-ul Haq (52).
"It was a great team effort and the boys gave their almost hundred percent, we must praise our batting as well, the openers gave us a sound start and then everyone chipped in by showing good fighting spirit," said Khan. "I hope the intensity and the hard work continues because we have just won the first Test and must show consistency to win the series," said Khan. The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi from January 25. Dubai will stage the third Test from February 3-7 followed by four one-day and three Twenty20 matches.
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