Captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday (7th July) looked ahead to Pakistan's four-Test series with England and said that Mohammad Amir has been told "to just focus what is going on in the middle" on his return to the Test arena following his lengthy ban.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan cricket captain (Q: You're optimistic ahead of the series. Do you sense some vulnerabilities in England's batting lineup?)

"Obviously some of the batsmen are not in good form, but at the same time, you have to live in the present, we have to see how they go and we have to perform on the day. So we are looking forward to it (the series) and we have the bowlers that can exploit that. But at the same time, we have to be ready for their attack also. They are so good here. So it's a challenge for us and at the same time, it is an opportunity for our team."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan cricket captain (Q: Have you any concerns about the reception that Mohammad Amir could face, if selected, in his return to the game?)

"Honestly, I don't care about these things. Personally, I always just focus on what is going on in the middle (of the pitch). I have to focus there as the captain, what's going on there, how he (Mohammad Amir) is, how he performs, how he bowls. And that's what we are looking for in terms of Amir and I think he has got the best chance to prove himself in the middle and not worry about what's happening. There are thousands of spectators (maybe) just saying something but you never listen to them, you have to just focus what is going on in the middle and that is what Amir has been told."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan cricket captain (Q: Your bowling attack is considered to be stronger than your batting lineup. Is that a fair assessment ahead of the series?)

"That's the fact. Whoever comes from Asia in these conditions, it's always a battle. Your batting has to really stand up. If you can put good scores on the board, you're bowling will always (be competitive) especially for Pakistan. Our seam is good. We've got the best spinner at the moment who is really performing well and we're confident. So we really have to stand up as a batting unit and if we can give them good scores then they are capable of doing well against England."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan cricket captain (Q: How do you feel you have managed to restore the reputation of Pakistan cricket since 2010?)

"I think that we've done really well in the last six years and all credit to the players especially. They understood what was going on with the Pakistan team at that time and I think that they responded really well in terms of their performances, their roles and especially off the field, their behaviour was really wonderful. Some of the young players performing really well, restoring that image for Pakistan. So as a whole, I think it's quite satisfying for me that we are really doing well."