26 August,2011 08:34 AM IST | | AFP
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said yesterday he hoped his team would put on a winning performance against Zimbabwe to give outgoing coach Waqar Younis a befitting farewell.
The new-look team left for Zimbabwe after Waqar announced he will step down as head coach following the 24-day tour due to health problems.
"We were shocked by the sudden announcement of him leaving after the tour, but we all respect that and want to do well and win the coming series for the coach," Misbah said.
Pakistan will open the tour on Sunday with a two-day practice match in Bulawayo before the only Test of the trip, at the same venue, starts on September 1.
The team will also play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.
Misbah said the young players were ready to make their mark. "All the players have performed well at the domestic level and were selected on merit so they are fully committed to take their chances and contribute in team's performance," he said.
Pakistan are resting frontline pacemen Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul, and have dropped fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed, but Misbah denied the team lacked experience.
