Yes I think Misbah should be given a lot of credit for the way he's led the side in difficult circumstances. I'm not entirely sold on some of his strategies and what seems like negative ploys, but he has brought the side together and created a team that is gradually becoming more and more difficult to beat. Even if some of the pitches have been difficult to force a result on, at least they are not gifting games away like they have in the past.
There is some consistency in the selection, Taufeeq and Hafeez have been present at the top of the order in every Test since the England series, as has Misbah and Azhar Ali, so that's four of the top five in the batting line-up. Misbah has led by example and been the absolute example of consistency, though he may be slightly disappointed in registering just the one hundred. Azhar Ali also has nine fifties and just one hundred, but these figures for such an inexperienced Test player give great hope for the future. Younis' return offers that bit of class, and overall things are looking rather promising with the bat.
I'm sure there will be a time when Umar Akmal will return to the side, but apart from allowing him to play in the Hong Kong Sixes, I believe they are managing him well in terms of sending him back to domestic cricket to learn more about the longer format game, and learning how to build an innings.
The line-up does have a look of being rather one-paced at the minute, but that should not overly concern Pakistan. A side that has shown such frailties in the past should take plenty of positives from occupying the crease for the lengths of time they have of late. I would at times like to see more urgency, but can understand their cautious approach. It is a work in progress and one shouldn't expect too much, too soon.
Things have been rotated around a bit more with the bowlers, but Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal will no doubt form the nucleus of many of the Test sides selected in the future. Abdur Rehamn will play when two spinners are selected and there are currently a few pacemen battling for any other vacancies in the team. Junaid Khan has shown plenty of promise and currently holds the place. Mohammad Amir and Asif will both be missed, and while those battling for the places lack their star factor, they have done an admirable job in some real batting-friendly conditions.
For me Ajmal is a real key in controlling things from one end, and offering a threat when the pitch offers something with his off-spin and doosra variations.
There are reasons to be positive for Pakistan fans, the side may have lost some excitement and entertainment factor, but they are heading in the right direction, and the road to recovery is starting from a steady, if unspectacular, base.
