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Cricket: Completely separate teams can’t be made, says Misbah
Pakistan captain Misbah has no intention ‘just to play Tests’.
'Changing an entire line-up of 11 or 15 players can’t be done'. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has opposed the idea of forming three separate teams for all formats before adding that only three to four changes in the playing eleven were possible.
Pakistan selectors have pondered over the idea of forming separate teams ahead of the World Twenty20, but is yet to be implemented.
“Three to four changes can be made and are necessary,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “But changing an entire line-up of 11 or 15 players can’t be done.”
The captain also expressed his desire to continue leading the team, including for the World Twenty20 that takes place in Sri Lanka in September. Calls for Misbah, who has often faced criticism for a ‘defensive’ approach to captaincy and batting, to be dropped from the limited-overs versions of the game have gathered pace, especially Twenty20.
Pakistan went down to England 4-0 in the One-Day Internationals (ODI) – ending a fine run that saw the team remain unbeaten in ODI series in 2011 – before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat in the Twenty20s .
However, Misbah, who turns 38 next month, said that he wanted to continue leading the team and feature in all three formats of the game.
“I don’t want to just play Test cricket. I want to lead the team at the World Twenty20 as well but obviously that’s up to the selectors. As far as people calling my batting style defensive is concerned, I play according to the situation. I’m the captain and I have an added responsibility.”
‘I will prove my critics wrong’
The right-hander, a late starter having made his international debut at the age of 26, vowed to prove his critics wrong.
“When I made my debut, people called me old and said I have little future in the game. But I’ve been able to prove them wrong with my performances. Now I’m confident of doing the same.”
Misbah, who has played 98 ODIs, 34 Tests and 39 Twenty20s, added that he has never opposed the idea of a deputy, which the Pakistan management is yet to appoint. He added that a good rapport with head coach Dav Whatmore, whose first assignment with the team was the Asia Cup that Pakistan won, has been established.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012.
Reader Comments (12)
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Man If I was Misbah I would just get up and leave this ungrateful nation’s team and then laugh everytime they lose to zimbabwe, bangladesh and such. People don’t know how nice they have it until they lose it.
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In my opinion we as a nation should be thankfull to Misbah. Yes, we have lost some matches because of him but in all of those he was the one fighting it out, unlike the darling of the fans, Mr. Me. who is a guest at the crease for one or two balls in most matches. The coach should appoint Hafeez as Misbah’s deputy so that he can gain experience of captaincy before Misbah ends his career a year or two from now.
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I am not a fan of Misbah but in favor that he should lead the team in T20 WC2012 because changing teams and captain at this moment will hurt the performance of the team.
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hahaha Misbah desperately wants to be included in the 20-20 side and for the same he is required to retain his captaincy. Since now 20-20 WC is approaching, Whatmore should quickly decide his future for that type of cricket. Imran Nazir, Ahmed Shezad and even S Malik are better 20-20 players then him on any given day
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We all have seen what Misbah is capabale of doing..Spoiling great victories in to badly lossed matches…. he tries to be M.S Dhoni but is not by any means
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Misbah is not M.S Dhoni either Javed Miandad who can win matches on the last ball . He should change his batting plan .One thingh he should keep in mind is this while chasing 7 to 8 runs per over he should take his chances rather tham lingering the match till the last over where 9 or 10 runs are required.In such situations ; in majority he has failed.
M.S Dhoni can turn around the match even if India requires 24 runs of 06 balls .
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man, Dhoni is extremely overated batsmen.. Misbah is much mature..
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Misbah is a useless captain when it comes to ODI & T20 Internationals because he cant even play in these formats. Misbah should retire from ODI & T2O Internationals for good and stick to Test cricket. People Remember the semi finals of the WC 2011 we had the match but misbahs defensive approach cost us the chance of lifting another world cup shame on misbah he should have retired then. we lots of talented players in pakistan who can easily replace misbah. also the different teams for the different formats will be the one of the best. things happening to the pakistan cricket team. Misbah your crap at T20 & ODI, you end career in these formats and stick to test match cricket and domestic cricket but in doemstic cricket most the players are better than you so just stick to test.Recommend
Completely agree with Misbah! You have a great cricketing mind and it’s a pity that you are being guided by those who lack grey matter. What a shame. Give him all the support and confidence to get the best out of him. But we are Pakistanis who are good at ruining everything… emotional IQ is surely below Recommend
Misbah is the best cricketing brain in the current team; rather one of the best Pakistan’s entire cricket history. Mibah, people are just jealous of you. Pl ignore them and bring more laurels to the country. Keep fighting!
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We believe that Pakistan must always win every game and that rest of the teams are nothing but a bunch of losers. And if we lose a game then someone (mostly captain) must be replaced immediately. Hence, we need scapegoats to sacrifice whenever our ego gets hurt. So we need a dozen captains to be available. In the process we dishonour greats like Misbah.
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Pakistan’s team was in shambles with low self belief and below-zero moral when this man, Misbah, took the team to new heights. And this is the treatment he is getting; just amazing. I think this psyche is only in the subcontinent…. short memories and being ungrateful.
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