DUBAI — Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq says his career would have ended long ago if he'd listened to his critics. Cricket pundits at home came down hard on Misbah after Pakistan was upset by Zimbabwe in Harare last month. But Misbah came back strong in leading his side to its own upset victory, a seven-wicket defeat of top-ranked South Africa in their first Test last week. The second and final Test starts Wednesday. Misbah said: “I am not bothered what people are saying because if I would have listened to them my career would have been over in 2001.” This year he's been particularly productive, at the age of 39. He tops the world this year with 1,441 international runs that include 480 in six Tests and 961 in 21 One-Day Internationals. Misbah played only five Tests from 2001-03, then came back in 2007 to become an integral part of the team. He has played 42 Tests and scored 2,764 runs, while in 128 ODIs he has made 3,972 runs. “My focus is on just doing well in every game and that's what I am doing,” he said. “I just never listen to anyone.” A confident Pakistan is now looking to its spinners to sweep the two-match series against a depleted South Africa when the second and final Test starts in Dubai Wednesday. Pakistan's spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar shared 11 wickets between them to guide their team to a seven-wicket win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi, only its fourth win in 22 Tests against South Africa. Even the pacemen Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan took four wickets apiece as a formidable South Africa batting slumped to 249 and 232 in the two innings, with only Hashim Amla (118) and AB de Villiers (90) showing some resistance. South Africa will be hard pressed to maintain its unbeaten run in an away series since losing in Sri Lanka in 2006. More so as Amla and Dale Steyn, respectively the world's top Test batsman and bowler, may not be available for the match. Amla has returned home for the birth of his child while Steyn is nursing a hamstring injury. Left-hander Dean Elgar is due to replace Amla, while Rory Kleinveldt is likely to fill in for Steyn. South Africa will also look at its spin option to replace left-armer Robin Peterson, who failed to get a single wicket in the first Test, with Pakistan born leg-spinner Imran Tahir. South African captain Graeme Smith expressed confidence his team can bounce back. “We haven't been in this position too often,” said Smith. “And with the standards that we set ourselves, we should have the ability to bounce back. “The motivation is there. We are really motivated to win the next Test match. That's got to be our ultimate goal. We have to focus on making sure our plans are better.” On the contrary, Pakistan has a settled squad and will not tinker with the winning combination. But despite all the plusses, Misbah warned against complacency. “We are really playing the top side in the world, so our focus is on the next game,” said Misbah, aiming to add to Pakistan's only series win over South Africa way back in 2003. Misbah denied he wants a batting track in Dubai to draw the Test. “I don't think so we have given clear indications to the groundsman. We want a result, no doubt we want to exploit our home advantage and we will do that, but we want a result,” said Misbah. — Agencies
