Thanks for the memories

May 14^th marked the last Test match for Pakistan cricket team captain Misbahul Haq and star batsman Younus Khan. Our mercurial 11 have been marshalled by these gentlemen for the very last time. Both men’s careers ended on a high note as Pakistan won the final Test match and the series 2-1 against the West Indies, eliciting praise from fans who posted “Mis-You” in honour of their retirement. Legions of fans showed gratitude to the men who pulled their spirits up after the 2010 match-fixing scandal.

Misbah, considered the team’s most successful captain, is held responsible for returning glory to Pakistan cricket. Holding several records to his name, the next team captain will have some giant shoes to fill. Younus Khan, considered a cricketing legend, will likewise be no easy act to follow. With Test cricket as his forte, Younus smashed many national and world records. And fans are eager to see how the other players will match the talent that has exited the team.

The maturity and wisdom Younus and Misbah brought to the team must also be recognised, not with regard to their ages but the attitude and patience that earned the team accolades and respect over the past years. The two were the most experienced — and fit — players on the team and the young blood will now face challenges in the way of scoring runs. Pakistan’s success during the West Indies tour was a team effort with a few debutants as well. However, historically for Pakistan, it will be recognised as the series in which Younus Khan became the first Pakistani to score 10,000 runs in a Test series. It was also the first Test series victory for Pakistan in the West Indies, giving each man one more feather in the cap. The past decade has been a ‘good run’ for the two men and for Pakistan cricket.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2017.

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