Sports

Pakistan captain Misbah to retire after Windies Tests

By Web Desk
April 06, 2017

LAHORE: Pakistan Test Captain Misbah-ul-Haq has announced retirement from international cricket a day after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief spoke about the skipper’s future.

The series in West Indies will be my last as I feel that time is up to say goodbye to international cricket, Misbah said, adding that he had wished to play against India but unfortunately it did not happen.

On Wednesday, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack named Misbah and Younis Khan among the ‘Cricketers of the Year’, an honour Pakistani duo received almost ten years after Mohammad Yousuf marched into the elite club.

Misbah took reigns of cricket team in 2010 after a spot-fixing scandal that shattered Pakistan’s image globally. Since then he led the team despite criticism from several quarters and put it on a winning path. Under his captaincy Pakistan became the no 1 Test side last year.

I am satisfied and happy with the way I have played all over these years for my country, Misbah told journalists at Gaddafi Stadium, where the players are training for the Test series against West Indies. Holding the ICC Test Championship mace was one of the best moments of my career, he said.

Commenting on the development, cricket legend Wasim Akram said this is the right decision by him and at the right time, the whole nation must pay respect to the skipper and he should be given a grand farewell.

His calm approach towards detractors in a country where cricket is the most popular thing has win accolades. The most remarkable aspect about Misbah is his unflappable temperament, his ESPNCricinfo profile says.

International Career:

Till date, Misbah has played 72 Test matches for Pakistan, scoring 4,951 runs at an average of 44.48. He has 10 centuries and 36 half-centuries to his credit with a highest score of 161.

In ODIs, Misbah scored 5,122 runs in 162 matches at an average of 43.40. His highest ODI score was 96. He only played 39 T20 internationals, scoring 788 runs at an average of 37.52. High highest score in T20 was 87.