NELSON: Aging Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday refused to speculate on his playing future, while saying his main priority are the coming Test series in New Zealand and Australia.

“Definitely this series in New Zealand and Australia, then see,” Misbah said ahead of Pakistan’s warm-up match against New Zealand ‘A’ in Nelson. “That was the target, so [we’ll see] how these Tests go and how my body reacts.”

After the four-day game, Pakistan will head to Christchurch to face New Zealand in the opening Test starting on Nov 17, to be followed the final Test in Hamilton a week later.

At 42, Misbah is still a world-class operator, having scored the latest of his 10 Test centuries as recently as July with a first innings 114 in Pakistan’s 75-run win over England at Lord’s.

He still holds the record for the fastest Test 50, scored off just 21 balls against Australia at Abu Dhabi two seasons ago, and shared the record for fastest Test century (56 balls) with West Indies’ Sir Vivian Richards until Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum eclipsed them both with his 54-ball effort against Australia earlier this year.

But there’s a definite air of confidence as he contemplates the coming Tests in Christchurch and Hamilton.

“For five or six years we’ve been doing well. This team is performing well, the players are developing and performing to keep this team at the top,” he said. “So far, the experience and confidence in the team is good and we’re looking forward to these two challenges, specially playing New Zealand in New Zealand and Australia, two tough series.”

Misbah made his Test debut against New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2001 and will be expected to bring up his 50th match as Test captain in the second Test of the current series in Hamilton in what would be his 67th Test appearance.

He has that unflappable bearing which suggests he’s prepared to absorb everything New Zealand’s bowling attack throws at him and his fellow batsmen over the next few weeks.

“It’s always challenging when you’re not playing in the conditions that you’re used to...but I think overall this team has got enough experience at the moment to perform well in these conditions.

“That’s another challenge for some of the players to prove themselves. And after they’ve been able to perform here, then they can be confident in themselves and [say] `now we are complete players and we can perform anywhere in the world’.

“This is something which every top player has to go through.”

Still, he had full confidence in his own bowlers to return the favour and sounded a stern warning to New Zealand’s batsmen.

“Overall I’m pretty happy with the performance of the spinners, specially [leg-spinner] Yasir Shah who’s been performing very well in all sorts of conditions.

“Our seamers, they performed really well in England and I think in these [New Zealand] conditions, they could even be better. It’s another challenge to prove themselves and they could be the match-winners.

“At the moment I’m very satisfied with what we’ve got in our bowling attack and if they can just bowl to their channels and their lines...they could really make a massive difference.”

Misbah’s obviously aware of the looming 50-Test milestone, although he wasn’t about to let it cloud his focus.

“I always believe that these numbers, it’s not that important for you, but obviously you feel proud when you get to any sort of milestone.

“It gives you satisfaction, but again I believe your performance, and how much you’re winning for your country and your team, that’s really important for you as a captain and as a player.

“So the main focus is performance, not just in terms of your own performance but also the performance of the team. But at the same time, I think these numbers are a big achievement for anybody.”

Misbah said that their most recent Test loss to the West Indies ‘would open the eyes of all the players’ and eliminate any complacency heading into the New Zealand series.

“Lesson learned, and everybody’s working hard now and getting back their focus, because we know that we’re up against two very tough teams.”

He acknowledged that New Zealand would also be extra determined to perform after their recent series loss to India, but said that his players would be looking to exploit any lingering vulnerability.

“If we can be disciplined and stick to our plans and play to our potential, we’ve got a fair chance.”

Published in Dawn November 9th, 2016