Captain Misbah to lead Pakistan in Sydney Test

Test captain will decide on retirement after meeting PCB chief Shaharyar Khan post Australia tour

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq, after an embarrassing fifth-day innings defeat to Australia in the second Test in Melbourne, caught many by surprise when he hinted to make a decision on retirement soon.

“I think I need to think about it,” Misbah told reporters after the Test defeat.

The middle-order batsman, who has been in terrible form in the ongoing three-Test series, where he scored just 20 runs in four innings with the average of five runs per innings, said on his current form, that he does not deserve to be in the playing eleven.

“I always believed that if I couldn’t contribute to the team then it’s no point staying there. I haven’t decided [about Sydney] but let’s see.”

However, on Sunday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media manager cleared the air about Misbah’s participation in the Sydney Test.

“He will play the Sydney Test,” said Amjad Hussain Bhatti. “He will decide on his retirement after meeting the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan on return from Australia.”

Pakistan are currently facing a whitewash while going into Tuesday’s Sydney Test against hosts Australia. The Kangaroos took an unassailable 2-0 lead against Misbah’s men when they beat the visitors by an innings and 18 runs in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.