Cricket: Misbah disappointed at Windies' fall from grace 

Abu Dhabi - West Indies couldn't offer a fight in ODIs and T20s but put up a decent reply in the two Tests

Even as Pakistan are looking forward to yet another whitewash, skipper Misbah ul Haq on Tuesday felt sorry for the way West Indies have collapsed over the years.
West Indies couldn't offer a fight in ODIs and T20s but put up a decent reply in the two Tests. They fought but lost the second Test at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium by 133 runs.
"It was tough to get them out," Misbah said at the Press conference after clinching the three-match series 2-0.
However, he lamented the decline of a powerhouse.
"That's disappointing. In the past, they were a force in the international level. They are having a downfall but they are a young side. They have some young players who are performing in bits and pieces. They might come good with experience but at the moment they are inexperienced for Test cricket and that's why it's difficult for them to perform at this level."
He added: "Everybody wants to see a strong West Indies team. They should come up the way they used to do in the past. It is disappointing for all of their fans."
Turning attention to his own players, Misbah hailed his bowlers for taking 20 wickets on a flat pitch.
"We have world-class spinners like Yasir Shah. But this pitch didn't spin even on the last day. It's creditable the way the bowlers performed on a flat pitch. To get 20 wickets on this pitch is a big achievement," he said of the Abu Dhabi strip.
The skipper was 'happy' to have equaled home great Imran Khan's record of most Tests as captain of 48 matches.
"It's a matter of happiness but I am happier to have won the match. It was a tough pitch to get batsmen out but at the end it is satisfactory result."
As a captain, Imran won 14, lost 8 and drew 26. For Misbah, it's 24 wins, 13 losses and 11 draw.
He pointed out the importance of winning as many Test matches as possible.
"It helps in the development of the team. In this team, all are contributing and are up for the challenge on pitches like this. We are performing consistently."
Pakistan now shift focus to the third and final match starting in Sharjah from Sunday.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com