Pakistan team more mature than before: Misbah

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq hoped that his country and India could soon resume cricketing ties which was stalled after the Mumbai terrorists attacks in 2008.

"Of course, we'd like to play against India. India-Pakistan series are always important for both players and fans," he said ahead of Pakistan's fifth and final ODI against Sri Lanka, in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.

"It's always fun to play in a series between India and Pakistan. The interest is high, I hope it happens because for all fans and players it is a good occasion," he said.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf is due to meet his Indian counterpart N Srinivasan in Chennai early next month to discuss the possibility of resumption of bilateral series. Both countries are slated to square off according to ICC Future Tours Programme but are hard pressed to find a slot because of India's hectic schedule.

Misbah said the current Pakistan team was more mature than the one, which lost to India in the ODI World Cup semifinal in March. "That World Cup team wasn't so different to this side, maybe one or two changes. That also had teamwork and commitment in it. But this team is more mature than before, we've won a few series since then and the confidence grows the more you win.

"If these players stay together, then definitely we can get better. It looks more improved basically because it has more experience," he said.