The legacy of Misbah — records he set
We take a look at the records Misbah broke or set during his illustrious career
PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq on Thursday announced his international retirement, bringing an end to an illustrious career where he briefly guided Pakistan to the Test summit for the first time in the country’s history.
The 42-year-old has had many highs and lows during his career and has made many records along the way to be counted among the game’s best.
Here are some of his achievements:
Fastest half-century in Tests
Misbah smashed the fastest half-century in Test cricket when he took only 21 balls to reach the 50-run mark against Australia in 2014. It is the fastest half-century both in terms of number of balls faced and the minutes taken (24).
Most ODI half centuries without making a century
Not a record anyone would want to boast but a record nonetheless. Misbah smashed 42 half-centuries before he finally got to reach the century mark and that itself became a record.
Most ODI runs and fifties in a calendar year
2013 was a very productive year for the incumbent Test captain as he not only set the record for most runs but also smashed 15 half-centuries to create a record for the most 50s in a calendar year.
He hit a whopping 87 fours and 28 sixes in the 34 matches he played that year amassing 1,373 runs at an average of 73.54 to pip Kumar Sangakkara and Virat Kohli to the top.
Joint second fastest century in Tests
A record Misbah certainly would be proud because the other person to hold it is none other than batting great Sir Vivian Richards. Misbah took only 56 balls to reach the century mark against Australia to register the joint-fastest century at the time.
The record, however, did not hold for even a year when New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum took just 54 balls to set the fastest century record.
Pakistan's most successful Test captain
Now this one is huge because it made the great Imran Khan’s achievements look small and that is something not many in the world could achieve. With 24 wins from 53 matches, Misbah is Pakistan’s most successful and the most capped Test captain.
First captain from South Asia to beat South Africa in South Africa in ODI bilateral series
Misbah guided Pakistan to an ODI series-win over South Africa in their own backyard to become the first captain from South Asia to beat the Proteas at home — an achievement which certainly isn’t out of this world but is remarkable nonetheless because Pakistan were still recovering from the 2010 spot-fixing scandal and the side consisted of many young players.
To be able to tame the Proteas, led by the fiery AB de Villiers, is an achievement on its own and to do that on their home turf is simply exemplary.
Only Asian captain to win four or more Test matches against England
Misbah has been a thorn in England’s side and has the best record among all Asian captains against them. He has guided Pakistan to a whopping seven wins over their English counterparts from a total of 10 games and is the only Asian captain to register four or more wins against England.
The 42-year-old has had many highs and lows during his career and has made many records along the way to be counted among the game’s best.
Here are some of his achievements:
Fastest half-century in Tests
Misbah smashed the fastest half-century in Test cricket when he took only 21 balls to reach the 50-run mark against Australia in 2014. It is the fastest half-century both in terms of number of balls faced and the minutes taken (24).
Most ODI half centuries without making a century
Not a record anyone would want to boast but a record nonetheless. Misbah smashed 42 half-centuries before he finally got to reach the century mark and that itself became a record.
Misbahul Haq announces retirement from international cricket
Most ODI runs and fifties in a calendar year
2013 was a very productive year for the incumbent Test captain as he not only set the record for most runs but also smashed 15 half-centuries to create a record for the most 50s in a calendar year.
He hit a whopping 87 fours and 28 sixes in the 34 matches he played that year amassing 1,373 runs at an average of 73.54 to pip Kumar Sangakkara and Virat Kohli to the top.
Joint second fastest century in Tests
A record Misbah certainly would be proud because the other person to hold it is none other than batting great Sir Vivian Richards. Misbah took only 56 balls to reach the century mark against Australia to register the joint-fastest century at the time.
The record, however, did not hold for even a year when New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum took just 54 balls to set the fastest century record.
Misbah, Younus on Wisden’s ‘Cricketers of the Year’ list
Pakistan's most successful Test captain
Now this one is huge because it made the great Imran Khan’s achievements look small and that is something not many in the world could achieve. With 24 wins from 53 matches, Misbah is Pakistan’s most successful and the most capped Test captain.
First captain from South Asia to beat South Africa in South Africa in ODI bilateral series
Misbah guided Pakistan to an ODI series-win over South Africa in their own backyard to become the first captain from South Asia to beat the Proteas at home — an achievement which certainly isn’t out of this world but is remarkable nonetheless because Pakistan were still recovering from the 2010 spot-fixing scandal and the side consisted of many young players.
To be able to tame the Proteas, led by the fiery AB de Villiers, is an achievement on its own and to do that on their home turf is simply exemplary.
WI series will be Misbah's last: Shaharyar
Only Asian captain to win four or more Test matches against England
Misbah has been a thorn in England’s side and has the best record among all Asian captains against them. He has guided Pakistan to a whopping seven wins over their English counterparts from a total of 10 games and is the only Asian captain to register four or more wins against England.