Published: May 11, 2017, 08:07 PM (IST)
Edited: May 11, 2017, 08:35 PM (IST)
The third and final Test between Pakistan and West Indies went underway on Wednesday. It has triggered an outpouring of emotions on social media, as two of Pakistan cricket’s greatest servants are quitting international cricket after this Test. Misbah-ul-Haq — one of Pakistan’s greatest leaders under whom the national team rose like a phoenix from the ashes of spot-fixing — and Younis Khan — the only Pakistani to go past 10,000 run-mark in Tests — will not be seen in Pakistan colours after the conclusion of the ongoing Test. Apart from the fans, their teammates too are getting emotional as they prepare themselves to bid farewell to their heroes.
Opener Ahmed Shehzad, among others, expressed his emotions in a chat with ESPNCricinfo. Talking about the legacy of the two players, he said, “Of course they are the senior-most players in our team and we all look up to them and we all try to learn whatever we can from them. They are different individuals.”
Talking about Younis, Shehzad said he was lucky to spend his early days with the master batsman. “I was lucky to spend my early days with him at Habib Bank Limited in domestic cricket. He is one player I admire a lot both on and off the field. So I consider myself lucky to be sharing a dressing room with him,” Shehzad said.
Shehzad also opened up on the advice he has got from Younis. “The most important advice Younis gave was to be yourself, always believe, don’t try to hold back from taking risks because taking risks is something which takes you above everything. Life is all about taking risks and not being afraid. While batting, Younis never disturbs you as he wants you to play according to your own plan. He doesn’t talk too much on the field but talks to you off the field instead,” he said.
Coming to Misbah, Shehzad said the captain was always there when the team needed him. “Misbah, similarly, has been phenomenal. He took the team to the No. 1 position after things were so bad when he got the captaincy. Since then, the way he led the side is remarkable. Now after seven to eight years, he is saying goodbye to cricket, and that is a tough thing to swallow. His contribution will be remembered. Whenever we needed him, he would be there for us. I have learnt a lot from heart-to-heart talks with him and we are definitely going to miss him a lot,” Shehzad said.
“Misbah always says we should take sensible decisions. Think twice before you take any call about your life or cricketing career. This is advice that I always kept close to my heart,” he further added.
Concluding on an emotional note, Shehzad said that he is going to miss the two stalwarts who are the pride of Pakistan. “This series will be an emotional series for all of us because these two players are the pride of our nation. They are the two strong pillars of the Pakistan team. So I am going to miss everything they have given us, all small incidents in hotel rooms, on the field, in dressing rooms, all good and bad memories, wins and losses. Whatever we shared together all these years will be missed and remain in our hearts forever,” he signed off.
