Misbah calls for 'rigorous' domestic set-up for Pak to thrive in 'already suitable' conditions

Pakistani Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said that a more rigorous domestic set-up might be needed for Pakistan to thrive in conditions which suit them already following their loss to South Africa in Dubai in the second Test.

Pakistan's domestic season had not started before this series was played, although they played warm-up matches before leaving for the UAE, but it is a competition in which matches are often shorter than four-days and five-wicket hauls are not uncommon.

According to The Nation, Misbah believes that their loss might be due to a weakness in their first-class system, saying that a tough first-class system, which has tough bowlers and batsmen, will automatically benefit players when they are playing competitive, international cricket.

Misbah also said that their team is not mentally strong as their first-class system is not as competitive as it needs to be, although he had insisted before the beginning of the Test that his team can win the second Test as its batsmen were better on UAE pitches than they were in Zimbabwe and South Africa because the pitches suited their style of play.