Misbah-ul-Haq: The Anchor of a Storm-hit Yacht

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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 Thirdodi
After spells of calmness and solemnity, there he goes areal with his trademark shot. AFP

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 ]

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29 thoughts on “Misbah-ul-Haq: The Anchor of a Storm-hit Yacht”

  1. loud speaker

    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..

    Reply
  4. ABDUL WAHEED

    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…

    Reply
  6. mohmmed bisalat nasir

    shahid afridi ko team mein huna chahiay varna cricket ka koi maza nain.shahid bhai plz team wapas aa jao

    Reply
  7. Mateen

    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

    Reply
  8. shahbaz

    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

    Reply
  13. SHAHID MUGHAL

    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 .

    Reply
  15. umair malick

    misbah is an outstanding player and a captain with mind he really is a wonderfull player nd my favourite too

    Reply
  16. aqib shah

    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 ,,,

    Reply
  17. Ali

    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

    Reply
  18. aasma khan

    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.

    Reply
    1. Mazher Arshad

      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 :)

      Reply
  20. Atif Subhani

    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.

    Reply
  21. zubair Ahmad zaheer

    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

    Reply

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