Misbah warns team not to be complacent in ODIs

Johannesburg: Pakistani Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq has warned his team not to get complacent about facing a weakened South African team in the five-match one-day series following the absences of Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn.

Amla flew home after the first Test to be with his pregnant wife, while Steyn has been rested for the first two one-day matches of the five-match series, which will begin on Wednesday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. According to Sport24, Misbah said that he feels that his team might get complacent after hearing such news, adding that despite the absence of any key player, South Africa will present a tough team. Stating that it would be better for Pakistan if they face a full-strength opposition team, Misbah further said that they would have to be mentally strong as South Africa will play very strong replacements for Amla and Steyn, adding that a team needs to be on their toes while playing against South Africa in any format. However, Misbah also said that he and his men are looking forward to playing a successful ODI series given that the conditions in UAE will always favour Pakistan, adding that they have been given confidence by the fact that they played very well in the ODIs against South Africa in the summer. South Africa bounced back to draw the Test series 1-1 in Dubai last Saturday and preserved its unbeaten record of not losing a Test series away from home since 2006, the report added.