Pakistan target victory over England in the third and final Test from Sunday in what would be a fitting farewell for Misbahul Haq, the country's most successful captain who has hinted he's ready to retire. The 41-year-old, who quit one-day cricket after the World Cup earlier this year, had suggested that he would leave the game after a two-Test series against India in December-January. But with relations between the arch-rivals once again strained and with that series in doubt, this England series may be Misbah's last. "To be honest, I haven't made a decision on my retirement yet. I don't know if we will be playing against India this season or if there will be an alternative series coming up, so I've not made up mind yet," Misbah wrote in his column for cricket.com.au. Pakistan is 1-0 up against England after winning the second Test by 178 runs in Dubai. The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi. A 2-0 series win will lift Pakistan to number two in ICC (International Cricket Council) Test rankings, previously briefly attained by it for few days in August 2006. Misbah's personal form and fitness suggest he can carry on, having scored 3, 51, 102 and 87 in the four innings of the series. But he said a player should leave the game on a high. "One should think about leaving the game with respect rather than leaving it when he is forced to leave," said Misbah. Misbah will hope his team does not squander a good opportunity to win another Test series, like they did against New Zealand to who fought back for 1-1 in Sharjah last year. Pakistan is likely to bring in Azhar Ali — who missed the first Test with injury and second after his mother-in-law died — to open the innings in place of Shan Masood. England is likely to bring in middle-order batsman James Taylor for Jos Butler who has failed as wicket-keeper/batsman, managing just 34 in four innings. If that happens, Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket. Imran out of third Test Pakistan fast bowler Imran Khan was ruled out of the third and final Test against England after he suffered a hand injury in fielding practice, the team manager said Friday. The 28-year-old injured webbing on his bowling hand and a finger while catching a ball in training at the Sharjah Stadium. Team manager Intikhab Alam said Khan was taken to hospital for treatment. "Khan hurt his bowling hand and a finger so he was sent to hospital, where he got four stitches and he will take ten days to recover," Alam said. Australia rules out ‘wild' experiments for NZ Tests Chief selector Rod Marsh said Friday it was not the time for "wild experimentation" after opting against including any debutants in the Test squad to face New Zealand, despite a number of retirements. Selectors decided not to pick 22-year-old batsman Cameron Bancroft for his debut, preferring Joe Burns to open the innings with vice-captain David Warner in Brisbane next week, the start of a three-Test series. Usman Khawaja was also recalled and is likely to bat at No. 3 after more than two years out of the national team. The 12-man squad, the first under new captain Steve Smith, contains six players with less than 10 Test caps following the retirements of an influential group of senior players earlier this year. Australia is rebuilding after the departures of skipper Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris. — Agencies
