Misbah Ul Haq

Misbah Ul Haq Biography

Early career

Misbah was initially noticed for his technique and his 

temperament in the Tri-nation tournament in Nairobi, 

Kenya in 2002, as he scored two fifties in the three 

innings in which he played, however, over the next three 

Tests he played against Australia, he failed to score 

more than twenty runs and was soon dumped from the team. 

Having witnessed Pakistan being eliminated in the 

opening phase of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Misbah was 

part of the changes made to the team in the aftermath of 

these results, but failed to make much of an impact and 

was soon dropped again.

[edit]Comeback

At the age of 33, Misbah was chosen to play in the 

inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, filling the middle 

order spot vacated by Inzamam-ul-Haq. He had been 

regularly making runs in Pakistani domestic cricket and 

in the years before his recall he was consistently one 

of the top run scorers at each season's end, with his 

first-class average briefly climbing above 50.

Misbah was one of the stars of the tournament, playing a 

large part in many thrilling run chases. The first was 

in the group stage against India where he scored a half 

century in a tied match. He was run out attempting the 

winning run off the last ball of the match. In their 

Super 8s encounter with Australia he was named Man of 

the Match with an unbeaten 66 off 42 deliveries to see 

his side home with 5 balls to spare. Another unbeaten 

innings in the semi final against New Zealand saw 

Pakistan book a spot in the final against India.

He played an instrumental role in Pakistan's recovery in 

the inaugural 2007 ICC World Twenty20 final against 

arch-rivals India, with three sixes. He hit the second 

legitimate ball of the last over for six. With 6 runs 

needed to win off 4 remaining balls, Misbah tried to 

scoop the ball over short fine leg, but was caught out 

by Sreesanth.

Misbah scored his maiden Test hundred against India at 

Kolkata in the 2nd Test of the 2007 series. After India 

managed 616 in their first innings, Pakistan were at 5 

for 150 in reply and in danger of following on when 

Misbah and Kamran Akmal put together a match saving 207 

run stand. Misbah finished on 161 not out. In the 3rd & 

final Test of the series, Misbah made another fluent 

century this time finishing on 133 not out.

2008 began with some high points for Misbah as he was 

elevated to the post of Vice - Captain of the Pakistan 

team and was awarded a Grade A Contract. Since returning 

to International Cricket for Pakistan, Misbah has gone 

through a sustained patch of prolific run scoring. In 

his last 5 Test Match innings for Pakistan, he has 

notched up 458 runs at a very high batting average of 

152.67 against India. In his last 5 ODIs as well, Misbah 

has made 190 Runs at an average of 63.33 & in Domestic 

Cricket for Punjab, he has amassed an astounding 586 

runs at an average of 195.33 with 2 centuries and his 

highest first-class score of 208*.

[edit]Dropping out and the captaincy (2010–2011)

Misbah was dropped from the team after the 2010 ICC 

World Twenty20 and missed the team's controversial tour 

of England in August 2010[1] Due to the 

batting-collapses that Pakistan suffered during that 

tour Misbah was recalled for the subsequent tour against 

South Africa in the UAE to lead as a captain of the team 

for test series. Many people expressed their surprise at 

the appointment of Misbah as captain. Wasim Akram stated 

that although the decision was surprising if Misbah bats 

and fields well everything else will go according to 

plan.[2] Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson stated that 

he believed Misbah has the best cricketing brain within 

Pakistan and he will do incredibly well in the plans for 

the captaincy [3] Misbah hit back at those who 

criticised the decision to appoint him captain and 

stated that he should be given a chance to prove himself 

[4] In his first match as test captain he set an example 

for his team when he scored 71* in a 168 run partnership 

with Younus Khan this helped Pakistan salvage a draw 

from the match [5]

[edit]Two-test series in New Zealand (2011)

I have to give full credit to Misbah as he has 

stabilised the team and leads from the front. His 

performance is also outstanding. He makes the boys feel 

comfortable and relaxed so they actually enjoy their 

cricket. He is mature and willing to listen. The only 

unfortunate thing is the age factor which is not in 

Misbah's favour.

—Pakistan coach Waqar Younis in 2011 on Misbah's 

captaincy.[6]

After Three Twenty20's in which Misbah did not play as 

Pakistan lost the series 2-1. He returned to captaining 

the test side and during his third test as captain he 

claimed his first victory when Pakistan beat New Zealand 

by 10 wickets. New Zealand were bowled out for 275 and 

during Pakistan's first innings Misbah reached a 

half-century before being trapped in front on 62, 

however Asad Shafiq top-scored in the innings with 83. 

Pakistan took a slender lead of 92 and bowled New 

Zealand out for 110 needing just 19 runs for victory and 

Pakistan sealed a crushing win when Taufeeq Umar sealed 

the winning run as Pakistan won by ten wickets and took 

a 1-0 lead in the series. The following match Misbah 

stated that the team's main focus was on improving 

themselves and that winning the series was a side focus. 

In the second and final Test of th series, Misbah yet 

again impressed with the bat. He was trapped in front 

just one short of a century in the first innings, with 

Pakistan taking a slender first innings lead. New 

Zealand posted 293 in their 2nd innings leaving Pakistan 

needing 274 to win on the findal day. An opening barrage 

from New Zealand's seamers left Pakistan struggling at 

42-3, with Misbah joining Younis Khan at the crease. The 

two put on 118 runs and Misbah remained undefeated as 

Pakistan held out for a draw, finishing 226-5. This 

secured Pakistan's first Test series win since 2007 and 

helped raise Misbah's average as Captain to 112.75.

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