Misbah-ul-Haq: Pakistan captain who has more than left his mark
Thursday 19 November 2015 11:38, UK
Guest writer Sajid Sadiq, of www.pakpassion.net, says Misbah-ul-Haq's eventual retirement as Test captain of Pakistan will leave a hole that is tough to fix...
In today's world where Test cricket is remembered more for few disinterested spectators in stadiums than for its status as the highest and most competitive form of cricket, it is no wonder that most fans when asked about the most memorable innings from Misbah-ul-Haq will perversely point to a long past game from the 2007 World T20 final against India in South Africa or the semi-final against the same opposition in the World Cup of 2011.
The two games which resulted in painful defeats for Pakistan put their current Test captain's name in an unwelcome light in the shorter formats of the game. In those matches, Misbah's inability to score and finish the game or score at the required rate was a major source of chagrin for the average fan.
Calculated
His nick name "tuk tuk" which exemplified his careful and calculated approach to cricket thus became a source of criticism and ridicule for some, and stuck to him ever since his elevation to the role of captain in the fifty over and Test formats.
While his critics rejoiced at the news of his retirement from ODI cricket, the same cannot be said with surety whenever the Pakistan Test captain, considered to be up close or better than the great Imran Khan, decides to hang up his boots.
Consider his record at the helm where he has lead Pakistan in 18 Test series winning nine, drawing six and losing just three against some hefty opposition line-ups including Australia and England, and Misbah's achievements as Pakistan Test captain take on an another level of significance.
As it is widely noted and agreed, statistics only tell part of the story. The fact that Misbah is fourth on the list of most runs scored after the age of 40 behind Sir Jack Hobbs, Patsy Hendren and Tom Graveney, or that in 2015 has hit the most sixes in a year in Test matches for Pakistan, suggest that despite his age, he is more than capable of holding his place in the team on merit with the bat alone. Add to that his magnificent innings against Australia in Abu Dhabi where he equaled the record held by the great Viv Richards for the fastest Test century in history and you will understand what Misbah is capable of as a batsman.
Crisis
Misbah took over the team in the aftermath of one the toughest crisis to hit Pakistan cricket. This was the time when the actions of the trio of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif threatened to plunge Pakistan cricket into an abyss which without Misbah's calm leadership would have become an uncontrollable nightmare. In the words of the Michael Atherton, "Credit to Misbah, he came in as captain when the Pakistan team was in disarray five years ago and now they're ranked number two in the world".
Atherton's astute observation of Pakistan's rise in the Test rankings under Misbah's leadership assumes even greater significance when one factors in the fact that Pakistan have not played a single Test series at home after March 2009 when the Sri Lanka team was the subject of a terrorist attack in Lahore, leading a team of mainly young players through eighteen tours away from home.
Misbah's performance, calm demeanor and reluctance to lash out at his fiercest opponents has set the bar high for future captains and also established some new standards which the Pakistan Cricket Board would do well to inculcate in their new recruits. Not one controversy of any importance has raised its ugly head during his captaincy, in total contrast to the teams of a bygone era.
Leadership
Whether Misbah will move on to another chapter of his life soon is something only he knows. For Pakistan's sake, they will want to hold on to Misbah for as long as they can as the Chairman PCB, Shahryar Khan, so eloquently expressed, "His leadership qualities are exceptional and we need him. I will do my utmost to stop him from retiring".
Misbah will not feature in too many coaching manuals or marketing videos for international cricket, nor indeed will his name spring to mind when Pakistani cricket lovers are asked to name their favourite all time cricketer. He will never win some fans over, but what he has done for Pakistan cricket in his own quiet way is immeasurable and cannot ever be underestimated.
Live One-Day International Cricket
England's tour of the UAE continues on Sky Sports. Watch the first ODI between Pakistan and England in Abu Dhabi on Sky Sports 2 HD from 10.30am on Wednesday, November 11. You can also watch without a contract on NOW TV.
