Misbah became the sixth oldest player in Test history to make a century as his unbeaten 110 took Pakistan to 282 for six at stumps on the first day of a four-match series.
His achievement was all the more impressive as this was also his first Test at the ‘home of cricket’, yet he secured a coveted place on the Lord's honours board.
10 interesting facts from day one of Pakistan-England Test
However, the highlight of the day was when Misbah celebrated his century with a salute to the Pakistan flag flying above the Pavilion and performing a series of push-ups. Although, at first, it appeared to be a joke aimed at critics who questioned whether he is now too old for international cricket, there was another reason for that amazing and surprising celebration.
Have you ever seen a celebration like this?! #EngvPak https://t.co/bbGH9lfMpG
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 14, 2016
In the post-match conference, Misbah revealed that the push-ups were for the trainers of Pakistan Army.
“I promised them [army trainers] I would do 10 push-ups if I score a century on this tour,” he said.
"We had an honour code on the boot camp, for push-ups, so that was my promise to them the next time I scored 100. So that was for them, and the salute was for the flag."
Pakistan team members celebrate Pakistan's Misbah ul Haq (not pictured) scoring a century Action Images via ReutersShoaib Malik also tweeted saying they were all taught to salute at the army camp.
9 memorable moments from day one of Pakistan-England Test
A super duper knock by #Misbah! Loved the celebration push ups & the salute, we learnt at the Army Camp well done 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/USYrf14duM
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) July 14, 2016
Last month, the PCB had arranged a boot camp at PMA, Kakul for players to increase their fitness level, following the debacle in Asia Cup.
The Islamabad United captain dedicated the ton to his wife and fans. He said his unbeaten century against England at Lord's was the "top innings" of an impressive Test career.
Misbah equalled West Indies great Vivian Richards's then world record for the fastest-ever Test century with a blistering 56-ball hundred against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014 -- a mark surpassed by Brendon McCullum's 54-ball hundred for New Zealand against Australia at Christchurch in February.
"I rate this as my top innings in Test cricket and I'm really happy about that," Misbah said at the post-match presser.
"It's a dream to play at Lord's and especially getting 100, and the name on the honours board is something special," added Misbah, who vindicated his own decision to bat first after winning the toss.
I really want to do well here, says Misbah ahead of Lord's Test
"Obviously when you are playing competitive cricket you just don't think about your age. If you are there, you just take on the challenge that comes with playing the game.These records are always something special, and they are very satisfying to make those kinds of achievements, but the main thing is just to keep achieving for your country," he added.
Game's legends and cricket pundits alike were just as impressed by Misbah’s innings as us.
What a treat to the Nation by @captainmisbahpk once again took the team out of trouble. Captains knock. Keep it going.
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) July 14, 2016
@captainmisbahpk brilliant batting misbah bhai
— Bilawal bhatti (@007Bilawal) July 14, 2016
Brilliant play by @captainmisbahpk, once again pulling Pakistan out of a tight spot! Proud of you boys-you can do it! #MisbahulHaq #PAKvENG
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) July 14, 2016
Well played Misbah bhai..a gem of knock n a fab day 1 for our team..good job..proud of u 👊🏼 #PakVsEng #Misbah #iBleedGreen 🇵🇰
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) July 14, 2016
Great inning by Misbah Ul Haq well done pic.twitter.com/1PqTmbp9sx
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) July 14, 2016
Great job by misbah to save the day 4 Pak team .. Now they need to capitalised that to win the morning session it's important..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 14, 2016
Misbah is one hellava guy! He lives to fight on tomorrow. Salute!
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) July 14, 2016
Great partnership by Misbha Bhai n Asad congratulations to both of you #EngvsPak @TheRealPCB
— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) July 14, 2016
Our roaring lion has done it, hats off @captainmisbahpk. Great century and celebration at the @HomeOfCricket against @ECB_cricket. #Respect
— Mohammad Irfan (@M_IrfanOfficial) July 14, 2016
The greatest 100 celebration of all time at #Lords ... @captainmisbahpk ...
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 14, 2016
When the next gen of Shahzads and Akmals come by, Misbah will still be not out at the other end.......
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 14, 2016
Misbah the push up King! #100 @lords #42 👏👏👏👏#EngvsPak
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) July 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/753633463786438656
Haha that is genius!! The best celebration I've ever seen!! Life in the old dog yet!! Misbah is going strong! Well played! #ENGvPAK 👏😆
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) July 14, 2016
Very fine test hundred to Misbah-ul-Haq, number 10, coming at 42 yrs of age! #ENGvPAK #LordsTest #honourboard
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) July 14, 2016
Imagine what Misbah could have contributed if his talent had been groomed earlier! Such a tragic waste of potential.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 14, 2016
Great inning by Misbah Ul Haq well done pic.twitter.com/1PqTmbp9sx
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) July 14, 2016
Great 100 at Lords by Misbah ! Age is just a number an spoken about far too often in sport #experiancecounts
— Ryan Sidebottom 🏏 (@RyanSidebottom) July 14, 2016
Another Misbah's classic! Well deserved 100 at lords. Not a bad effort from 42 year old.& Great celebration
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) July 14, 2016
#Misbah - get on that honours board at @HomeOfCricket ! He is officially confirmed as the Benjamin Button of world cricket #ENGvPAK
— Brian Murgatroyd (@murgersb) July 14, 2016
All hail the legend that is #Misbah - first 42 yo to score Test hundred in 65 years; now sixth in list of oldest Test centurions #ENGvPAK
— Brian Murgatroyd (@murgersb) July 14, 2016
Misbah should've done what so many subcontinent batsmen did against spin. Don't hit out of attack - milk them.
— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) July 14, 2016
Great job by misbah to save the day 4 Pak team .. Now they need to capitalised that to win the morning session it's important..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 14, 2016
Love Misbah.. Unlike for most others nothing's come easy but the determination and strength of character is amazing .. Well done Bhai !!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) July 14, 2016
Misbah is one hellava guy! He lives to fight on tomorrow. Salute!
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) July 14, 2016
congratulations @captainmisbahpk on making 1st 100 in England@lords extraordinary innings well played @AsdShafiq pic.twitter.com/K0NXEHZ0lt
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) July 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/sharmeenochinoy/status/753637736943325184
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