‘No survival if team score below 200 in T20s’: Misbah-ul-Haq

After winning the one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa 2-1 in competitive encounters, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday acknowledged that stakes were even higher in the shortest format of the game.

Talking to media in a virtual press conference ahead of the four-match T20 series, the 46-year-old said even 200-run target on a normal track is reachable in today’s cricket.

“The game has changed altogether these days,” Misbah said. “If you are playing T20 on a normal wicket, then you need to score at least 200. In some cases, even 200-run target is not safe. There is no survival if you score less than 200 on a good track in T20s.

“Likewise, in ODI cricket you should target 350 for the opponents to chase. Pakistan led by Fakhar Zaman came closer to the target against South Africa in the second ODI and the same happened with us in the third game; South Africa batsmen stayed in the hunt till the last.”

The former cricketer termed the ODI series win a big boost to Babar Azam’s captaincy. “Babar has got the required confidence level with the series win,” Misbah said. “I am really excited and hopeful that the win would go a long way. Babar is consistently leading the team from the front.

“Despite all-out efforts made by the South African pacers during the series, Babar stayed composed and contributed to the team’s cause in a splendid way. Now he looked more confident as a captain.”

Read: Pakistan advances to no. 2 in ICC CWC Super League points table after SA series win

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