Daily Times

People of Pakistan are never short of interesting opinions on cricket. After all, it is considered to be the nation’s favourite pastime and a getaway from the usual hustle bustle of Pakistani life. One particular topic of great interest is about captaining the Pakistan cricket team. Being captain of the Pakistan cricket team is considered to be the most influential positions in the country.

Pakistan’s cricket has more or less always been synonymous with two legendary captains — AH Kardar and Imran Khan. Both possessed great leadership skills and a focused discipline which was second to none. Not seeing AH Kardar in his playing days; I can earnestly conclude (along with maybe the world at large) that Imran Khan could possibly go down as being one of the game’s most phenomenal captains.

Khan gave Pakistani cricket fans some fantastic memories! When I say memories, I don’t just mean the 1992 World Cup but memories in the form of players such as Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis (and perhaps a few more) to say the least. These players were discovered by the great Imran Khan and in return such players gave us outstanding memories.

While most players usually make their debut in their teens or early twenties, Misbah’s entry into the international circuit was in his late twenties. Since his parents were teachers, they must have stressed on the need for completion of his studies

Along with Imran Khan there was another player who captained Pakistan and deserves to be talked about with much admiration and respect. I am referring to Misbah-ul-Haq. Misbah might not have had the potential to bring forth match winners like Imran Khan, but his patience and determination in leading a side during a period of turmoil (post horrific spot fixing scam during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010) is something that must be given credit. Like Khan, he too hails from the Punjab Town of Mianwali where the local men are considered to be tall and strong.  Misbah is certainly no less. He stands at 6’ 1 and once had a very broad physique. His physical appearance made him resemble that of a Spartan warrior. He might not have possessed the agility of Imran Khan, but his unflappable and calm temperament could make up for any physical abilities he lacked. It could be because of such a temperament that he had received much success as captain. The cool and calm manner in which he went about his batting, managing the team and dealing with the critical media is really second to none. His batting style was not too aggressive and his natural style of play was defensive.

Defensive batting did not go down too well with Pakistan’s cricket pundits. Because of his slow, defensive batting style he was given the moniker of “tuk tuk.”  But if anyone has the slightest understanding of the game they know that when a team is 35 for 4 you can’t exactly go in all guns blazing, but slowly and gradually build an innings. Contrary to his controlled innings, Misbah-ul-Haq did posses a flair for attacking the ball. His knock during the second test against Australia at Abu Dhabi back in 2014 was where he scored the fastest half century and equalling the fastest century record (jointly held with Viv Richards) can go on to prove that he did possess moments of being fierce with the bat.

While most players usually make their debut in their teens or early twenties, Misbah’s entry was in his late twenties. Both of Misbah’s parents were teachers and stressed on the need for studies. Misbah had an MBA in human resource before he started his cricketing career. This made him one of the most educated players in the modern era. His debut was against New Zealand back in 2001 in which he scored a very patient innings of 28 at Auckland. But in the following years the world at large did not get to see much of him in the Pakistan team. Between 2003-2007 Misbah-ul-Haq was not on the team.

His physical appearance resemble that of a Spartan warrior. He might not have possessed the agility of Imran Khan, but his unflappable and calm temperament cannot make up for any physical abilities he lacked

Thankfully, a handful of runs in the domestic circuit brought him back into the team. It is said that a person’s true character and test comes into play during the hour of need. Misbah-ul-Haq certainly showed such character. He became captain of Pakistan after the horrific 2010 tour of England when Pakistan was rocked by the spot fixing scandal. Morale was down, but the Spartan warrior did what was required to be done — keep focus on the game and play the part of a calm captain. However, to only give credit to Misbah-ul-Haq during this agonizing period would be naive. His solid contemporary, Younus Khan was the man who also steered Pakistan’s ship out of troubled water (with his reliable batting and guidance). The personalities of both players varied to a great extent but both were on the same page when it came to being role models for the younger team members. Their long enduring batting partnerships (mostly at the hour of need) eventually led to Pakistan receiving the ICC test match last year.

To say that current members of the team or perhaps even one or two players need to step up to the plate and emulate the skill and character of Misbah-ul-Haq or even Younus Khan would be asking for too much. Those who have been following the game know that one or two players have always come along in the team and have taken it to great heights

The writer is based in Karachi

Published in Daily Times, October 18^th 2017.