‘No disrespect for opposition’

MANCHESTER: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was adamant his unusual press-up celebrations at Lord’s were in no way aimed at England.

Misbah marked his maiden Test appearance at ‘the home of cricket’ with a first-innings century.

The 42-year-old, who in the process became the oldest player to score a Test century for 82 years, marked his hundred by performing several press-ups.

It was a gesture repeated by the whole Pakistan team in front of the Lord’s Pavilion after they wrapped up a 75-run win, with more than a day to spare, to go 1-0 up in the four-match series.

The press-up routine has become the squad’s way of thanking army staff who put them through a pre-tour boot camp.

“No disrespect for opposition — they (England) are a fine team and we know their strengths,” Misbah told reporters at Old Trafford on Thursday, a day out from the start of the second Test at the Manchester ground. “The celebrations were nothing to do with England, only a gesture for those we worked with.”