Lords Test: Misbah defies critics with a ton

LONDON: Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq became the oldest player to score a Test century for 82 years as he helped his side recover against England at Lord’s on Thursday.

Misbah remained unbeaten at 110 at stumps on the first day at the home of cricket. Pakistan accumulated a total of 282 for six, on Misbah’s first outing in England.

The 42-year-old achievement was all the more impressive as this was also his first Test at the ‘home of cricket’.

Not since England’s Patsy Hendren made a century against Australia aged 45 at Manchester’s Old Trafford ground back in 1934 had an older player scored a Test hundred. Remarkably, this was also Misbah’s first Test anywhere in England.

The skipper came to the crease with Pakistan in trouble at 77 for three after he had won the toss. But together with Asad Shafiq (73), Misbah was able to put on a 148 for the fifth wicket.

However, off-spinner Moeen Ali was expensive, as his seven wicket less overs cost the home team 46 runs.

However, the highlight of the day was when Misbah celebrated his century by performing a series of push-ups. It appeared to be a joke aimed at critics who questioned whether he is now too old for international cricket. The gesture was also a wry reference to the pre-tour ‘army-style’ training camp the squad were put through in Kakul.

Pakistan’s openers got through the new ball before Woakes removed them both with a burst of two wickets for five runs in 16 balls.

Shan Masood was caught behind by Jonny Bairstow.

Whereas Woakes and Bairstow combined heroics worked to have Mohammad Hafeez (40) caught off a skyer.

Pakistan were 76 for two shortly after lunch when Azhar Ali was literally knocked off his feet by a yorker by the debutant Jake Ball.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2016.