Published: May 15, 2017, 06:10 PM (IST)
Edited: May 15, 2017, 06:02 PM (IST)
Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan could not have asked for a better farewell than being a part of Pakistan’s historic Test series victory against West Indies at Windsor Park in Dominica. Yasir Shah sealed the game for Pakistan in a dramatic fashion despite Roston Chase’ century. This was Pakistan’s first Test series win in the Caribbean. It was also Pakistan 26th win under Misbah’s captaincy. Yasir tormented the West Indies batting line-up ending with figures of 5 for 92 while debutant Hasan Ali claimed 3 for 33. West Indies were bowled out for 202. Yasir provided Pakistan 101-run victory by removing Shannon Gabriel in the last ball of the penultimate over. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: PAK vs WI 2017, 3rd Test
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo.com, Misbah expressed his satisfaction on the success that Pakistan cricket has secured across formats, “Whenever you think back, you think I’ve done this and that, you always have a feeling I could’ve done this a little better. I tried all that I could on my part, with whatever authority and responsibility I had, whatever was in my hands, I did what I could. And I thank God, we have achieved quite a few things in Test cricket especially. One-days also we achieved some things, stuff that other big sides couldn’t do. With the resources, the situation, the limitations of Pakistan cricket I think that I am, to a great degree, satisfied with whatever we have achieved.”
Misbah has played 58 Tests and has captained Pakistan for 6 years. He was even banned for two Tests due to over-rate. Misbah took over the reins at the age of 36. When asked about the secret to Pakistan’s success under his captaincy, Misbah quipped, “No secret. Patience is very important. The other thing, for captaincy, is that the most difficult task, you go there and do it yourself. If you do, then automatically players get behind you and start playing their roles. I didn’t think of it is as a burden. Neither did I ever think that I would do it for this long, or did I worry about it being taken away from me.”
“You are given a responsibility and you have players and resources around you who help you in fulfilling that. You maintain good relations with the players, with the board – with whoever you work with. Giving respect to everyone has helped me in my captaincy and I got respect in return,” he added.
However, Pakistan are going to find it difficult to find the right replacement of not only Misbah but also his teammate Younis. Misbah admits the same and mentioned, “It will be difficult. The most important thing, in any situation, is to have players who truly believe they can do it, players who believe that whatever the situation, whatever circumstances, they are the ones who can do it for the first time.”
“That is the key thing to bring, that belief in a side – who are the players who will bring that belief into a side? That is where Pakistan will miss Younis Khan. In those scenarios, there has to be someone who can stand up, who can play an outstanding fourth innings, or who is out of form and can make a 200. From nowhere to play such an innings, if you have someone like that, you’re always confident as a team,” he added.
But Misbah assures that he will be connected with cricket in the future, “It’s simple. You’ve spent so much time in cricket, so you try and stay on in the field that you’ve worked in. Help others, continue things. I haven’t decided specifically what yet, but, even if it is with my department (at Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited), who have young players, I’ll see what I can do. Or with my district side, if I can do something.”
