Misbah to pack it in after Windies Tests
For months we have all waited with baited breath for news on exactly when Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq would retire from international cricket and we finally have our answer.
Misbah will hang up his boots for good after the Test series in the West Indies which gets underway on April 21 and he is eager to go out on a high.
The 42-year-old told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore: “It will be my last series and I had conveyed this to the chairman (Pakistan Cricket Board) quite some time ago.
“I will try to finish it on a high note.”
“There was no pressure on me. I was planning to quit after the England series in the UAE [in October 2015] but there were some things and I had to carry on playing.
“But overall it’s fine and not like I am under any pressure or somebody has dictated this to me. I have myself understood that this is it and it’s purely my own decision.
“It’s a wrong impression that the board has enforced this as my last series or there’s a patch-up between me and the cricket board. I thought to play against West Indies because it was important for us as we haven’t won against them in their own backyard.”
Misbah has led Pakistan with a steely determination and unflappable temperament since 2010 when he was appointed in the wake of the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
The shared Test series in England last year and the resulting number one Test ranking was the culmination of six years of rebuilding efforts and a proud moment for a loyal servant of the game.
Pakistan have struggled since their series triumph over the West Indies in the UAE last year slumping to six consecutive Test defeats with the skipper struggling for form as his side were whitewashed by New Zealand and Australia on the road.
With no disrespect intended towards the West Indies, the three match series in the Caribbean is one Pakistan should win with their bowling attack favoured to shred the hosts shaky batting lineup and allow the skipper to go out with a series win.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.