Misbah says Afghans need to play more test nations

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq wants fast-improving teams like Afghanistan to play more international matches against test-playing nations to be better able to gauge their progress.Having been awarded one-day international status in 2009, Afghanistan will play its first ODI against a test-playing country on Friday when it takes on Pakistan.Once you play against test teams, only then you can know what type of improvement is required, Misbah said. Its very important that such matches are organized so that these teams can realize where they stand.The match will serve as a warm-up for Pakistan for the four ODIs against England, starting next week.Misbah came across some of the players as captain of the Faisalabad Wolves when the Pakistan Cricket Board invited Afghanistan to compete in domestic Twenty20 tournament.They are fighters, they have good fielders and you cant take them easy, Misbah said.Former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik are back for the shorter format of the game after Misbah led Pakistan to a clean sweep against England in the test series.Malik was a surprise inclusion in the squad with the allrounder taking only five wickets and scoring 35 runs in his last eight ODIs. Misbah requested Malik after he was left out from the original squad last week.I think there was some misunderstanding, Misbah said. Maybe he didnt bat well last year, but his bowling played a vital role against Sri Lanka here in Sharjah.Since the opposition is struggling against spinners and sometimes our batting also struggles, I thought Maliks inclusion will benefit the team.Misbah also reminded his players not to rest on the laurels of the recent past and to prepare hard for the upcoming challenges against Afghanistan and England.I always say that whatever performance you have given in the past is history and one should look ahead, he said. Its true we won the test series and we did celebrate it, but for us tomorrows match is important to mold us back in this format.