Published: Apr 06, 2017, 01:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 06, 2017, 03:41 PM (IST)
Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq announced retirement from international cricket on Thursday. The 42-year-old took his team to No. 1 spot in ICC Test Rankings, becoming the only Pakistani cricketer to lift the coveted Test mace. However, Misbah had risen to prominence in 2011 when he was placed at the helm in the longest format. After Pakistan was hit by spot-fixing, it was Misbah who took his team out of the woods and helped them regain the lost paradise with his remarkable captaincy. However, the curtains will be down after the three-Test series against West Indies in their own den, starting April 21.
“I am announcing my retirement from international cricket. The upcoming series against West Indies will be my last,” Misbah told Pakistan Tribune. However, there was a sigh of relief when he said that he was yet to hang his boots and will continue playing at domestic level. “I will continue to play cricket at the domestic level. Regarding when I will leave domestic cricket, I will decide it later.”
A few months ago Misbah had said that he would not mind playing until he is 50, but after a 0-3 drubbing in Australia Misbah had to rethink about his future. “I’ve seen many ups and downs during my career. I was dropped from the team at times. But then I had some great moments too where we became the number one Test team in the world. So overall, I am satisfied with my performance.”
Misbah has led Pakistan in 53 Tests, emerging triumphant 24 times. In fact, Misbah will retire as the most successful captain Pakistan have ever had.
