Thank you Misbah!

In the summer of 2010 Pakistan was hit by what many say was the biggest cricket scandal in the country’s history. Pakistani cricket fans still remember what they were doing when news of the infamous spot-fixing scandal flashed across TV screens globally. Many feared that the scandal would mean the team hitting rock bottom and bouncing back would be a long struggle.

Then came a man who took charge and led Pakistan Cricket out of darkness. That man was none other than Misbah-ul-Haq who stated his mission as Pakistan’s Test captain in October 2010 with a home series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Later he was also handed Pakistan’s ODI captaincy.

Since then, Misbah has led Pakistan in 53 Tests, winning 24 of them – 10 more than any other Pakistani captain -  which makes him Pakistan’s most successful captain.  He is also the first Pakistani to lead his side in 50 or more Test matches. Under Misbah’s leadership, Pakistan won 10 out of 22 bilateral series. No other Asian captain has won more than nine Test series. This means that Misbah is also Asia’s most successful captain in terms of series.

Misbah-ul-Haq marked his hundred with a set of push-ups, England v Pakistan, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 1st day, July 14, 2016 - Getty Images

Mocked by critics as TUK TUK, Misbah responded with a brilliant 56-ball century against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.  His shared the record for the fastest century was later broken by Brendon McCullum. However, the New Zealand batsman was not able to break the record for the fastest half-century which Misbah still holds till this day.

Despite his accomplishments for Pakistan cricket and selfless attitude, Misbah was mocked and remained undervalued. Perhaps this was due to the skipper not marketing himself like other cricketers.

In order to understand what Misbah has done and means for Pakistan cricket, it is essential that we look beyond just statistics. While assessing Misbah’s performance, one needs to understand and realise the fact that he did not get an opportunity to play or lead the team in a Test in Pakistan since his return from forced cricketing exile. UAE became Pakistan’s home venue where the team played all the matches in front of deserted stands.

Misbah-ul-Haq has a laugh with teammates, Dubai, October 12, 2016 - AFP

When Misbah was handed over the team’s leadership, it was in doldrums following the spot-fixing scandal and Shahid Afridi’s mid-series retirement. He was given an uphill task, many would have stepped back in that situation, but Misbah did not.

He stepped up, fought hard, put his sweat into make Pakistan Cricket into a unit, protected players from being vulnerable. He fought and fought hard on and off the field. The attacks from critics did not stop him from achieving what he did for Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket.

Pakistan Cricket remained under the influence of the 90s for so long. Fans and aspiring Cricketers had no one else to look up to as heroes and role models. There was hardly any success story for parents to share. That has changed and now we have something to cheer about.

In 2010, Pakistan’s cricket was pushed to a corner and players were treated as criminals. Six years later the same team did push-ups in London after conquering the home of cricket.

Misbah’s stature as captain grew just like his age. However, the skipper proved that age is nothing but a number.

Misbah pictured with the ICC Champions Test mace in September 2016 - AFP

The skipper’s critics may still ignore his achievements, brush his accomplishments under the carpet and even erase the image of him doing push-ups, but one thing that even they cannot deny is Misbah holding the ICC Test mace, the only Pakistan in history to do so.

Thank you Misbah for all you did for the country. Thank you Misbah for your selfless contribution for Pakistan Cricket. Thank you Misbah for lifting the team out of the oblivion and putting it on top of the world. We may have failed to realise and appreciate your achievements but you will always be remembered as a great player and a great captain.

Cricket will miss you, Pakistan Cricket will miss you, especially with the scorecard yelling 35/5.

Faizan Lakhani is a sports journalist working for Geo News 

Views of the author do not necessarily reflect that of Geo News