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Umar Farooq
October 30, 2011
Mohsin Khan, Pakistan's interim coach and chief selector, has said that he told his players to be mentally strong ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Dubai. After squandering a strong position in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan won the second Test comprehensively by nine wickets.
"It's a team game and every man has to play his part instead of relying only on the senior players," Mohsin told ESPNcricinfo. "I advised them to be honest and responsible as we are here to perform our duty and are expected to deliver our best.
"The important thing I had transmitted to the boys was that no matter how big a player you are, you aren't bigger than Pakistan."
Pakistan's batsmen showed rare consistency in Dubai and the bowlers responded well to give them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Mohsin said that he tried to get the players to trust their abilities and they delivered. "My team has all the required capability to beat any team. They only needed consistency in batting and bowling and this time they hit the mark in both departments and results are there."
Pakistan had dropped six catches in Sri Lanka's second innings in Abu Dhabi after taking a 314-run first-innings lead, allowing Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene to put on a match-saving 201-run stand. Mohsin said that Pakistan were disappointed that they had let go of a winning opportunity. "Those dropped catches actually dented all our good work. But this is all part of cricket and what is important is not to repeat those mistakes and take the next step for improvement."
Mohsin also warned his side against being satisfied with their 1-0 lead ahead of the final Test in Sharjah. "We are wary of Sri Lanka as they will come hard to make the most out of the final Test but we are currently brimming with confidence and I will ensure my men against being complacent."
Test cricket will return to Sharjah after a nine-year span when the third match of the series starts on November 3, but Mohsin said that there would be little difference in conditions compared to the venues for the first two games. "The climate conditions are similar as before though the track has a lot to offer to batsmen and less to the bowlers."
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