Pakistan know it has to raise its game in the fourth Test with England if it is to salvage anything from the series, says Misbah-ul-Haq.
After appearing in control of the third Test after the first innings, Pakistan allowed England to pile on the runs before being bowled out for 201 on the final to complete a 141-run defeat.
> Read: Cook says England 'way off' from being world's best
Defeat handed England an unassailable lead ahead of the final match at the Oval, but Misbah is determined to rescue something ahead of the one day internationals. "We are looking into having better combinations in this Test match so we can win it," he told a media conference.
"Obviously England has the momentum and are in their home conditions but we believe we can come back from any position. This is a do-or-die Test match for us so we have to do well. "The team can do it, but we need to combine [our] performances the way we did at Lord's.
"The performances are here and there, but we are not translating them into a victory." While Pakistan is searching for improvement, England have its sights on maintaining momentum to complete a series victory.
Alastair Cook's side have resisted temptation to make changes and go into the game with an unchanged team, meaning Adil Rashid and Jake Ball will have to wait for a chance to impress.
Many had thought Rashid may be given a chance after impressing with the ball for Yorkshire, however Moeen Ali will again provide England's solitary spin option.
Cook stressed England are not in a position to rotate players, telling a media conference: "Rashid is going to keep gaining international experience in the one day game.
"In an ideal world we would like to give him a go, but it's a results driven business and we must be fully focused on that at the moment. We are not in a position I feel we can do that [give players a go]. "The series is very much alive, we want to play well and win the series.
"The Oval is a good cricket wicket, we think it will turn later on. I feel as if our seamers are bowling well and Mo took massive strides in the last game, I hope it can continue."
England's decision to remain unchanged also means Ben Stokes' comeback will be put on hold, the all-rounder having stepped up his recovery from a calf injury this week.
Key Opta Stats:
- Pakistan has won three of its last four Test matches at the Oval against England, in fact its win rate of 44 per cent at the venue is its best at any venue outside of Pakistan, the UAE or Zimbabwe.
- Four of the last five Test matches at the Oval have been decided by an innings margin, England has won two and lost two of these games (D1).
- Alastair Cook has a Test batting strike rate of 57.3 in 2016, his highest ever rate in a calendar year and his rate of 70.6 in this specific series is his highest ever in a Test series to date.
- This will be James Anderson's 200th first-class match; he is currently enjoying his best ever bowling average in first-class cricket in England during a calendar year (15.6).
- England have not lost at home when batting first since 2012 (W12 D2).
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