SHARJAH // Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, admits he felt more motivated playing an away series in England than he has appearing in front of empty stands in the UAE.
Pakistan will aim to complete a cleansweep of cleansweeps when they face West Indies in the final Test of the series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, starting on Sunday.
If Misbah’s side force a win, it will be their ninth in a row over three formats against the beleaguered Caribbean side, having claimed 3-0 successes in the 50-over and Twenty20 series.
Despite their unprecedented run, as well as the fact the first match was played mostly outside of office hours, the attendances at the grounds have been pitiful.
Students will be granted free admission to the ground in Sharjah, but whether that gesture makes a discernible impression seems unlikely.
More from Pakistan v West Indies:
• Mickey Arthur: Pakistan 'want to be ruthless' in Sharjah Test
• Misbah-ul-Haq: Melancholy at demise of West Indies after securing Test series in Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Test: Yasir Shah the star as Pakistan pummel West Indies to clinch Test series
• Dubai Test: Darren Bravo heroics not enough to prevent Pakistan victory in a Test of many 'firsts'
It is a marked contrast to their series in England in the summer. Pakistan drew that, but thousands of tickets were sold for each of the four matches, as is typical for Tests in the UK.
Misbah said any sort of support — even that for the opposition side on away tours — is better than the soulless experience the Tests against West Indies in the emirates have been.
“It is tough as player to feel motivated,” Misbah said. “As you clearly see there is a difference between England being a full house, and here in the UAE.
“There you saw full stands, and every good shot, good fielding, or a good ball was appreciated by the crowd.
“It was a completely different atmosphere, and we play for the crowd. That is the main passion for us. That motivates us, so it’s tough here with less of a crowd in the stadium.
“We play for the crowd because we show them our skills in the ground and its for them to watch. Without them it doesn’t help you to enjoy playing. But we are professional and we have to give 100 per cent and perform.”
The Sharjah Test will be Pakistan’s final tune up before they fly to New Zealand and then Australia for two series which will likely be far sterner tests of their capabilities.
“We have a tough series ahead so we want to sign off with confidence and on a wining note,” Misbah said.
“The process for England preparation I think started long ago, in 2010, as with every passing day and every passing series whatever we gain for our experience was what gave us the confidence and it actually helped us in England.
“Now with the England series recently, and West Indies here we are in better shape and are being boosted with confidence and this will help us in New Zealand and Australia.”
West Indies’ woeful form has had a telling affect on the demeanour of the side’s players, but Jason Holder, the captain, says they remain fully motivated.
“We have a young team and the guys are excited to be playing international cricket,” Holder said.
“They want to make their mark on this team, so it is about giving them encouragement. We have a lot of good things: we have got five wicket hauls, we have got a century, we have had plenty of our batsmen getting starts, so there are plenty of positives from this tour.
“Everybody is hungry for success, so we don’t have to motivate the players. We just need to bring together a strong collective effort.”
[ pradley@thenational.ae ]
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