Misbah out to exploit 'unsettled' Aussies

Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes Australia are "not a settled team" and says his side has the opportunity to exploit their inexperienced side.

Pakistan slipped from second to fourth in the International Cricket Council Test rankings, and below third-placed Australia, after their side's 2-0 series loss to New Zealand.

But Misbah, who missed the second Test against the Black Caps due to death of his father-in-law, is confident his side can bounce back against a new-look Australia side in the series beginning at teh Gabba on December 15.

"Australia is not a settled team, and they have made changes in the last (Test) match (against South Africa)," Misbah said in Lahore on Wednesday.

"Their new players are familiar with their own conditions, but at the same time when someone comes new into Test matches, you have a chance to exploit it."

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Australia avoided being whitewashed by South Africa as new caps Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson were apart of the day-night third Test win in Adelaide last weekend.

Misbah returned home after losing the first Test in Christchurch but would have missed the second Test in Hamilton anyway, because he was handed a one-match suspension for another slow over-rate. He will rejoin the team before the first Test against Australia.

Pakistan's top order struggled in seaming conditions in New Zealand, losing nine wickets in the last session in Hamilton to lose by 138 runs.

Only opener Sami Aslam and Babar Azam scored half-centuries during the series but Pakistan have kept faith in the same 16-man squad for the three Tests against Australia.

"Conditions were difficult in New Zealand with plenty of grass on both wickets," Misbah said. "But I believe wickets will be better in Australia, and this team has the capability to make a comeback."

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But Misbah said Pakistan, who briefly rose to No.1 in the ICC's Test rankings earlier this year, weren't suddenly a bad team after losing their first Test series in more than two years.

"In one series, if your bowlers or batsmen do not perform, you can't say it's not a good team," he said. "We have been taking 20 wickets (in Test matches) in UAE, and I hope the players have learnt their lessons in New Zealand."

The 42-year-old, who has retired from limited-overs internationals, has no immediate plans to quit Tests, and said as long as he stayed fit and the team needed him he will play on.

"The team's confidence level has come down with the recent performances in New Zealand. I am focusing on the Australian series and raising the level of the team and regaining the confidence of players.

"I have said before, you don't know what happens tomorrow, but I have no fitness problem and hope to play as long as I stay fit. If I felt the team still needs me and I stay fit, I will continue playing."

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