Misbahul Haq opens up about 2007 World T20 mishap

Pakistan Test captain preaches to live in the present and forgot past regrets

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq, who played a scoop into the hands of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth at short fine-leg in the final of inaugural 2007 World T20 off Joginder Sharma, believes if he had been stuck in that five-run loss to India, he would not have been able continue cricket.

While talking to Mirza Iqbal Baig who hosts Express News show Sports Page, the 42-year-old opened up about the match.

We all fall down in life the question is who gets up?Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit! Still three to go.

— Misbah Ul Haq (@captainmisbahpk) August 30, 2016

“If I had remembered them (Sreesanth and Sharma) then I would not have been playing international cricket,” said Misbah. “I always believe whatever good or bad you do in the past, you have to forget it. Even the good that you have done, you enjoy it on that very day, but every day in cricket is new. You have to go out again and you have to perform."

He added: "I believe if you live in the past or keep planning the future, you will not be able to perform on the given day. There are regrets in life but they should be controlled; they should not affect your present performances.”


The most successful Test captain for Pakistan also revealed the list of his favourite batsmen.

“There are a lot of them,” he said. “In terms of mental strength, Javed Miandad, after that Steve Waugh, and Inzamamul Haq as well, he would always perform in tough conditions. There is also Jacques Kallis, but in today’s cricket AB de Villiers. The kind of cricket he plays, there is no match for him in recent times.”

We have done it but we need to do a lot more to maintain it. Tough tasks ahead. #No1TestTeam

— Misbah Ul Haq (@captainmisbahpk) August 23, 2016

Misbah, who guided Pakistan to the number one spot in Tests first time in the history of the game, also shed light on his retirement plans.

“I had planned my retirement after I played against England [in UAE]. I wanted to retire after playing against India but Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told me that visiting England for a series will be a big challenge for us. It would have been difficult for a new captain to come in at that time. After that, the series against New Zealand and Australia are always difficult,” explained Misbah.

He then revealed a plan for transfer of captaincy. “I am planning to stay till the tour of Australia, and during the tour I will plan what I want to do next,” he said. “There is no plan to play for an extended period because it is better to bring in a new captain at the right time.”