Shahryar Khan optimistic Pak will bounce back in Hamilton Test

Following a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat in the opening Test against New Zealand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has expressed confidence that the team will stage a strong comeback in the second and the final match against the Kane Williamson-led side beginning on Friday at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Although the PCB chief admitted concerns over Pakistan's inability to cope with the swinging pitches in New Zealand, he insisted that Misbah-ul-Haq's side have the potential to perform well.

"The team was doing well before the tour of New Zealand. Our batsmen have had problems in the past in New Zealand but we have the potential to stage a comeback in the second Test [which begins from Friday in Hamilton],"the Dawn quoted Shahryar as saying.

Pakistan will head into the second match without their skipper Misbah because of the one-match ban imposed on him for slow over-rate in the first Test in Christchurch, where the playing conditions created problems for the visitors' batsmen.

However, Shahryar said that a victory in Hamilton would boost the team's morale ahead of next month's Australia tour, featuring three Tests and five ODIs.

"Winning the Hamilton Test would boost the morale of the team especially before the tour of Australia [next month]," Shahryar added.