Published: Nov 14, 2017, 05:15 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 14, 2017, 05:15 PM (IST)
When we think of Misbah-ul-Haq, what do we recall? His most-talked about scoop shot that helped India win the maiden World T20I title? Or, his calm and composed presence that often weathered Pakistan? Do we think of him as the most successful Pakistan Test skipper? One can go on and on, recalling his achievements but it won’t be enough. Such is the stature of Misbah, a born leader and an excellent batsman. In a recent interaction with Cricbuzz, he shared his thoughts on Pakistan cricket team’s future, how difficult it is being a subcontinental side’s captain and much more:
On winning 26 Tests, most by a Pakistani captain
“It’s always good. There is nothing better than success. Once you are called the most successful captain, you always have a sense of satisfaction. It is an honour. It is something I always admire at the end of the day.
Every cricketer dreams of representing the nation, and take pride when the national anthem is being recited especially at home grounds. Sadly, Misbah was one such unlucky player who never played on home soil.”
‘It’s hurt to describe in plain words’
“Obviously, that was something missing and it’s hurt to describe in plain words because the passion that exists among us for cricket is simply unbelievable. But overall we are satisfied that where ever we play, we played international cricket. Even in UAE, it was like home because we produced results that normally teams produce in their own backyard. I consider not losing a Test series in UAE was a big achievement for us. But it is hard to say whether it was as satisfying as like playing at home. We missed that and it was almost 7-8 years. I only can hope for the best but not being able to perform in front of your own people is something that will surely leave an impact on any cricketer but that is how it went.”
‘Shorter formats suit Sarfraz Ahmed as leader’
“I think he is a very good captain, coming from the Under 19 and becoming more experienced, especially in the shorter formats – that suits his nature and personality.
The one-day team and the T-20 team are really going well. We are currently the number one T-20 team while winning the Champions Trophy in such a short time was quite remarkable. We can say that now our team is among the top teams of the world. I think with time and experience the team will get better in Test cricket as well because there are quite a few young players in our side. Sarfaraz as a captain has all the potential to do better in Tests too.”
I think it is very important just to know what is right and what is wrong. You just don’t have to live on other people’s opinion because from what I have seen there is no point taking the opinions of people too seriously. At the end of the day, I have to take decisions and the responsibility of its consequences. So it is important that you carry on doing the hard work to improve your own and the team’s performances.”
‘As captain of an Asian side — India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — you need to be patient’
“I think when the team is performing, that is enough for the critics. The most important thing as a captain of an Asian side whether it is India, Pakistan Sri Lanka or Bangladesh is patience. You need to hold your emotions because that will help you to take better decisions. It is very demanding to keep your emotions under control but if you do manage to do that it will help you as well as the team.”
Pearls of wisdom
“I think you cannot play cricket or bat thinking about what other think. You have to back your strength because in that kind of pressure situation your best shot is more likely to pay. Sometimes you get out playing drives or cut shots but that does not mean that you stop playing those shots because you need to back your strength irrespective of what others think.I always believed that you need to show your character while batting and it is hard to change it because then it is not you but someone else. Each batsman has an own identity and it is extremely crucial you don’t lose it because it takes a lot of hard work and long time to earn that unique identity.”
In the airrrrr…Sreesanth takes it, India wins. Know what happened when Misbah attempted that scoop shot
“I must say one thing… at that time I analyzed the situation and I picked my best shot at that pressure situation because I was so confident about it. I played that shot through out that World Cup so successfully and even before. I missed that shot for the first time in the tournament. Afterwards you can think that ok I could have done this or that and could have played it differently but at the end, I am satisfied that I picked my best shot about which I was so confident. Sometimes it happens that your best shots just don’t pay off. Because of the occasion everyone still remembers it but afterwards I just put it behind and said no I have to move forward.”
Remember his style of play was termed ‘tuk-tuk’?
“I think initially my background in cricket was playing tennis ball cricket and tape ball cricket in Pakistan and it is only known for hitting big shots and all those sixes. Normally, you play 10-over 8-over or 6-over cricket and have to hit sixes every ball, that was my start.And then once I moved to professional cricket, where there was four-day cricket, three-day cricket and Tests, I had to change myself to suit that format. I had to change myself and totally transform my batting. So in terms of T-20, that was natural but I had to change for other formats. I feel that I had resisted my natural batting instinct a lot to become a Test cricketer”, explaining how he changed his batting method in different formats.”
