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Training camp under Inzamam helped us: Misbah

January 05, 2013 18:09 IST

It was not just the combined effort of bowlers but also the preparatory training camp under former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq back home which helped Pakistan to tame the Indians on their own backyard, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said on Saturday.

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"Fast and spin bowling is key to our success. Our pacers performed really well and exploited the conditions while our spinners have always won us the game. It's a combined effort," Misbah said.

Misbah-ul-Haq "We prepared well for the series under our batting consultant Inzamam-ul-Haq. The training camp back home really helped the team to perform well," Misbah added.

While Pakistan's pace duo of Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan troubled India's top-order batsmen with their swing and seam movement, the spin combination of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik bowled well in tandem to create problems for the middle-order.

If the first ODI in Chennai saw Indian batting line-up staring down the barrel at 29 for five before Dhoni came to the rescue with a defiant unbeaten 113, the story largely remained the same in Kolkata too where the Indian team folded for 165 in 48th over chasing 250.

The 38-year-old skipper said they will settle for nothing less than a win in Sunday's final One-dayer at the Feroze Shah Kotla Ground.

Reminded that he could become the first Pakistani skipper to inflict a series whitewash on India in their own backyard, Misbah said: "Every match is important for us and we always take the field to win matches. The approach will remain the same tomorrow and we will look to win the match."

Pakistan has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series following their 85-run win over India in the second One-dayer in Kolkata on Thursday.

Misbah said the Delhi chill will not have a bearing on the outcome of the match.

"It's cold out here but Lahore has been the same for quite some time where our players practiced for the series. I think what we have experienced today will largely remain the same tomorrow," he said.

The Pakistani skipper said the Kotla pitch looks more batting friendly.

"Overall, the pitch is looking good. What I have seen today, it's will assist the batsmen. The toss won't be much of significance. In the first game, the toss played a crucial role. In the second, it wasn't that important factor. So, I am not thinking on that line," he said.

Asked what's the reason behind India's current plight and the steps needed to be taken, Misbah said, "Hard work is the only way to come out of the bad phase. There is no other way according to me."

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