Identical to country’s politics, sometimes Pakistan Cricket has to face negative criticism despite good performances. The recent catastrophes of Pakistan Cricket have buried fans to pessimism that even when someone does good they think there is something fishy. He is selfish; plays for himself, puts team in trouble and walks out clean, and some cynics even consider him a conspirator to snatch captaincy by scoring runs in bulk. Amidst all this negativity, there is one thing which doesn’t stop him and that is the man himself, Misbah-ul-Haq!
Misbah came of age, at age of 33, when most players start thinking about retirement plans. This at least vindicates his passion for cricket, more precisely passion for success in Cricket. Since his second coming – in 2007 – he has been Pakistan’s lynchpin in adversity. He has performed like an anchor of storm-hit yacht, proved his worth and selection in team, now at 37 he does what a rookie wants to do to make an impact. There is some energetic lad – who is always eager to perform – disguised as Misbah.
With 412 runs in 2011, Misbah is leading run-getter of this year (2011) in Test Cricket. But as the amount of Test Cricket played by other countries is too slender, so far, so lets include performance of all formats in 2011.
He is second highest run-getter, just 2 runs shy of Shane Watson, in 2011 whereas, with qualification of 500 runs, he is currently standing at ‘Best Average (65.43)’ among all players of world. In case, his over-all strike-rate (56.41) makes you a cynic again, let yourself know that its 72.40 in ODIs and 42.12 in Tests. Moreover, he has scored most 50+ scores in 2011.
Highest run-getters in Year 2011 [Including Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals] | |||||||
Name | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
1. Shane Watson | 19 | 19 | 1049 | 61.70 | 106.06 | 2 | 7 |
2. Misbah-ul-Haq | 23 | 23 | 1047 | 65.43 | 56.41 | 1 | 11 |
3. Jonathan Trott | 16 | 15 | 797 | 56.92 | 80.74 | 2 | 6 |
4. Mohammad Hafeez | 24 | 28 | 739 | 29.56 | 73.97 | 2 | 3 |
5. Sachin Tendulkar | 12 | 13 | 673 | 56.08 | 68.39 | 3 | 2 |
Most of Pakistan batsmen don’t enjoy outings away from home; they have always struggled to make a mark. But Misbah surpassed many Pakistan greats, his batting never dwindled even playing in alien conditions. He has the best average (50.37) among all Pakistan batsmen. Though 15 matches is too low a career to give credit but when compared to Javed Miandad and Younis Khan, it justifies Misbah’s heap. After 15 Tests away from home, Miandad’s average was 40.34 while Younis’ was 42.10, however Inzamam-ul-Haq is one player who maintained his average right from start.
All-time Best averages by PAK batsmen in Test Cricket at ‘AWAY’ venues [Qualification= 1000 runs] | ||||||
Name | Matches | Innings | Average | Runs | 100s | 50s |
1. Misbah-ul-Haq | 15 | 29 | 50.37 | 1209 | 3 | 8 |
2. Younis Khan | 41 | 72 | 47.07 | 3107 | 8 | 14 |
3. Inzamam-ul-Haq | 67 | 114 | 46.79 | 4820 | 13 | 26 |
4. Javed Miandad | 64 | 103 | 45.80 | 4351 | 9 | 26 |
5. Saeed Anwar | 27 | 48 | 45.42 | 2135 | 7 | 10 |
In recent years, Misbah has also been Pakistan’s most reliable batsman in Test Cricket, a format where Pakistan team always struggled. He came back to Test Cricket in October 2007 and that is when Inzamam-ul-Haq got retired. Since his comeback and Inzy’s retirement, he has second most runs (1520) in Test Cricket among Pakistan batsmen.
Most runs by Pakistan Test batsmen since September 2007 | ||||||
Name | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
1. Misbah-ul-Haq | 20 | 35 | 1520 | 54.28 | 3 | 11 |
2. Younis Khan | 14 | 24 | 1326 | 60.27 | 5 | 4 |
3. Kamran Akmal | 20 | 37 | 1127 | 32.20 | 2 | 7 |
4. Salman Butt | 19 | 36 | 1112 | 30.88 | 1 | 6 |
5. Umar Akmal | 15 | 29 | 988 | 36.59 | 1 | 6 |
Since his comeback in 2007, among Pakistan batsmen who have at least scored 500 runs in Test Cricket, he also enjoys second-best average (54.28) followed by Younis Khan’s 60.27.
Best averages of Pakistan’s Test batsmen since September 2007 [Qualification= 500 runs] | ||||||
Name | Matches | Innings | Average | Runs | 100s | 50s |
1. Younis Khan | 14 | 24 | 60.27 | 1326 | 5 | 4 |
2. Misbah-ul-Haq | 20 | 35 | 54.28 | 1520 | 3 | 11 |
3. Azhar Ali | 12 | 23 | 37.28 | 783 | 0 | 8 |
4. Umar Akmal | 15 | 29 | 36.59 | 988 | 1 | 6 |
5. Mohammad Yousuf | 15 | 30 | 36.18 | 977 | 1 | 6 |
Be it One Day Cricket or Test Cricket, batting on venues away from home is not what Pakistan has savored. Even in limited-overs Cricket, Pakistan batsmen never performed like they did at home. But Misbah has surmounted here too. With an average of 47.17, he is easily the most dominant batsman at venues both at home and away. Even if we compare Miandad and Yousuf’s averages after 49 ODIs, the former had 29.61 while the latter had 34.20, they are too low to Misbah’s 47.17
All-time Best averages by PAK batsmen in ODIs at AWAY & NEUTRAL venues [Qualification= 1000 runs] | |||||||
Name | Matches | Innings | Average | Runs | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
1. Misbah-ul-Haq | 49 | 45 | 47.17 | 1604 | 74.32 | 0 | 13 |
2. Zaheer Abbas | 36 | 36 | 40.48 | 1336 | 71.75 | 2 | 8 |
3. Javed Miandad | 165 | 158 | 40.03 | 5405 | 64.32 | 4 | 39 |
4. Mohammad Yousuf | 210 | 201 | 39.23 | 6787 | 73.47 | 8 | 42 |
5. Saeed Anwar | 205 | 204 | 37.83 | 7227 | 80.45 | 17 | 35 |
He is Pakistan’s second most run-getter with 1884 runs since his comeback in September 2007. Moreover, among Pakistan batsmen who have scored at least 500 runs, Misbah has second best average (44.85) followed by Yousuf (45.52) though the latter’s two centuries against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh helped him gaining 45.52
Most Runs by Pakistan batsmen in ODI Cricket since September 2007 | |||||||
Name | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
1. Younis Khan | 70 | 67 | 2225 | 34.23 | 77.04 | 4 | 15 |
2. Misbah-ul-Haq | 64 | 56 | 1884 | 44.85 | 80.13 | 0 | 14 |
3. Kamran Akmal | 69 | 61 | 1671 | 29.83 | 85.73 | 2 | 07 |
4. Salman Butt | 42 | 42 | 1653 | 42.38 | 80.04 | 5 | 10 |
5. Mohammad Yousuf | 46 | 44 | 1639 | 45.52 | 78.72 | 3 | 10 |
Even at 36, expectations can’t be stopped. He is still as energetic and keen to perform as a rookie is. On May 28, the day when he will formally take over Pakistan’s ODI captaincy against Ireland, he will turn exactly 37 but with current form and fitness one can hope that he will play for another 2-3 years. And if he stays captain for couple of years, he surely can groom – under his shadow – some young blood as a future leader.
Since he has taken Pakistan’s Test captaincy, in 11 innings he has scored 632 runs at an average of 90.28 with 7 fifties and 1 century. All of this came after age of 36.
As a leader, he keeps an immaculate record as he has never lost a Rubber. In 3 Test series he captained, Pakistan drew against South Africa (0-0), won against New Zealand (1-0) and drew against West Indies (1-1). Under his captaincy, Pakistan also won their first Test series since November 2006 [in nearly 4 years].
In ICC Rankings for Test batsmen, Misbah is on 22nd spot. Only Younis Khan (17) is ahead of him among Pakistan batsmen.
Written and compiled by Mazher Arshad [ www.facebook.com/mazher157 ]
weldone mazhar bhai!!
its gud 2 c that many of people start understanding cricket as they start appreciating misbah’s class n his techniques.
im totally agree with brother Abdul Waheed.
just want 2 say 1 thing that crkt is nt only abt hitting powerful strikes roughly here n there.. 1st understnd n know wat cricket is then watch out misbah!!
thnx!
n afridi played unlimited worse inings he has never been responsible player he plays 4 himself always try to make his strike rate beter he never sacrifice his strike rate wen Pak needs him to stay on wkt n keep rotating the runing.. but stil misbah’s fans also encourage afridi because v hav big heart as our hero has.. afridi is no doubt a wonderful bowlers but he needs to improve his bating n the thing he shud work most on is DESCIPLINE!! N PLZ STOP FIGHTING ON MISBAH N AFRIDI THEY BOTH R V GUD FRNX BY THE WAY N BOTH HAV DIFRNT STYLE..
Misbah ul haq is the best.
Misbah is the great player in the cricket history
jin matches k bare main kaha jata hai k misbah ne haraye …
Un matches main misbah ki fight ki wja se hm jeetne k qareb pohnche agr 1 b batsman misbah ka 7 deta to hm matches jeet jatey…
Or jahan tk semi final 2011 ki bat hai to wahan misbah captain(afridi) ki planing pe chal raha tha…
Power play afridi ne lena tha agr wo jld power play le leta to wo match b misbah jitwa deta…
Plz dont compare him with greats! He is not a match winner!
shahid afridi ko team mein huna chahiay varna cricket ka koi maza nain.shahid bhai plz team wapas aa jao
Ager us banday ki wajah say kuch match har gay to is ka matlab ye nhn hai keh wo apnay liay khailta hai wahan tak pohanchay bhi to us ki wajah say thay jahan tak wc 2011 ki bat hai us nay akhri moment tak hamain umeed dilai k hum jeet saktay hain or yahi wajah hai k hum cricket daikhtay hain inzmam bhi to bohat matches mein perform nhn kar saka tha but he was the best
match winr nahe h??hahahahaha kia joke h..paglo usi na tu hamain NZ sers jitwai the n wrldcup ka semifinal ma bhe usi k batng k waja sa pohncha tha misbah is best jalna walo jalo
facts are facts..
nice work mazher…:P
Well done Mazhar,good write up!
Bhai Kiya Ho Giya Agar Ek Do Match Us Ki Waja Se Hum Haar Bi Gae To But Ye Baat To Hum Sab Ko Man,na Parhe Gi Ke Is Time Team ME Koi Match Winner Hai To Woh Only Misba-ul-Haq Hai
nahi yar missbah nahi ap hamara winer player hay
he just play for his averge not for country
he just plays for himself not for the team…..selfish players
i hate him chavl insan ha
i agree with you
I DONT LIK MISBAH HE IS A MATCH LOOSER ALWAYS.HAR IMPORTANT MATCH WO PAK KO HARA DETA HAI ES KO TEAM MEIN HONA HI NAHI CHAHYE .SORRY AGAR KISI KO BURA LAGA HO TU ITS MY PERSONAL OPENION ABOUT MISBAH .
nahi yar tum nay bilkul sahi kaha hay we are want only shahid afridi
becouse
cricket is not cricket with out shahid afridi
He is the World Cup’s Looser….
also i agree with you
and saport afridi
Afridi was also :)
misbah is an outstanding player and a captain with mind he really is a wonderfull player nd my favourite too
aray bahi app misbah ki baat kartay ho jis na kabi bi mulk ka liya nahi khaila achi averge or acha score se bara player nahi bana jata us ka liya ,app match winner hona , first amaandari se mulk ki liya khailna parta hi aur apna mulk ka naam roshan karna parta hai tab app averge aur score show karo misbah sirf apna liya khalta hai apni zaat ka liya uss ki her match main yahi koshish hoti hai ka koi admi acha score na kar la ager koi bichara acha khailna lage ga uss ko woh out kara deta hai woh match looser hai ,, abi woh captain si ka peeche para huwa hai t20 world cup us na jaan booj ka haraya world cup main us na jaan booj ka haraya yaar plzzzzzzz uss kutay ki baat mat karo jis ko baat karna nahi ahta sala safaarshi hai ,,,
thanks to saport to afridi we are proud of you and shahid afridi
wake misbah dino kutay hay
Man, just look at Yunis Khan and compare him with Misbah :P Yunis is far much better than him then why are we neglecting him :D no excuses really but this is lame :D
ksi ki negitive or ksi ki just positive batoon ka comparision bhala kahan ka insaaf hai.dikhana hai tu afridi ki bhi best show karo or misbah ki bhi then we can who is better.
Afridi’s batting stats are not much impressive in recent years however he has done good with bowling. And praising Misbah doesnt mean that I am against Afridi. I have written articles on Afridi as well and when Afridi improves his numbers i will write again on him :)
Thanks Mazhar for Supporting my man, Misbah is a real match winner..
Hahahaha……….. No , Match Winner not , , , Match Looser…………………
Thumbs Up Mazher for providing the all important statistics. I, personally, have followed the domestic cricket of Pakistan for a long period and let me assure u there s nobody n i mean no one who has worked this hard to make a place in Pakistan team. One thing we all know is that Misbah came into the team when Yousuf was dropped for the inaugural T20 WC in South Africa. During the tournament, We heard Ravi Shastri calling Misbah as the man who has ‘nerves of steel’ while the legendary Sunil Gavasker said his mind works like a computer. He was labeled as a T20 specialist n then he entered the test arena. People again labeled him as a test player only n he proved his worth in the ODI cricket :) He s just unbelievably cool. He has this habit of proving his critiques time n again and he will keep on doing this. InshAllah.
well done dear ap jaisy log b pak main majood hain jo fvrtisem ki dhajia urany k liye kafi hain well done keep it up