Former Pakistan players Tuesday heaped praise on the national team for its thrilling run chase to grab an unlikely victory in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
Pakistani cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq celebrates after winning the final day of the third and final cricket Test match against Sri Lanka at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium, in the Gulf emirate of Shrajah on January 20, 2014
Pakistan, currently placed fifth in the Test rankings, chased down 302 in 57.3 overs in fading light on Monday to level the three-Test series, after losing the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets.
Azhar Ali notched up his fifth Test hundred with 103, captain Misbah-ul Haq hit an unbeaten 68 and Sarfraz Ahmed scored 48 as Pakistan achieved their second-best run chase, bettered only by their 314 against Australia in Karachi in 1994.
Former captain Aamir Sohail praised the batting.
"It was refreshing to see Pakistan chase down a tough target," said Sohail. "The way Azhar played, Sarfraz helped him to set the tempo and then Misbah finished the game, it was nice and will help lift the team's morale."
Team manager Moin Khan said the plan was to go for the win in a Twenty20 style.
"We had that in mind to go for runs in the last Twenty20 overs and promoting Sarfraz helped," Moin said on the team's arrival.
"It was nice to see the positive intent and this win will go a long way in building the team."
Another former captain, Rashid Latif, also praised Misbah.
"The kind of role Misbah has played is praiseworthy," Latif told AFP. "As a batsman and as a captain he has been good. The way he used the new players was also appreciable and will help him build this team."
Latif however criticised Sri Lanka's response to the batting onslaught.
"Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews used negative tactics, placing his fielders on the boundary line, which went against him. You can't win or save a Test by such tactics."