The writer is a consultant, coach, analyst and a politician and can be reached at andleeb.abbas1@gmail,com. She tweets at @AndleebAbbas
Cricket needs all these competences, especially in Test matches which are a real test of mental, physical and emotional fitness. The final Test between Pakistan and the West Indies was an example of how a game can become a lesson for those who want to learn. The deciding match in the series was less about the win and more about giving a befitting farewell to Pakistan’s cricket legends Misbahul Haq and Younis Khan.
The world of cricket is full of many stars that dazzle the viewers from time to time with their skillful batting, scintillating bowling or excellent fielding. These stars shine on the basis of their batting averages or wicket taking deliveries and live in the cricket hall of fame. However, what turns a star into a legend is not just amazing performances but also his conduct and character on and off the field. Misbah will be remembered for his many match-saving and winning feats, but even more for his composure and character that embodied grit, persistence and perseverance.
Initially, Misbah had a fairly pedestrian career in cricket. In 2010 at the age of 36, when most cricketers would be planning their post-retirement, he began anew. The spot-fixing scandal in 2010 thrust captaincy upon him. A team bruised and battered with doubt owing to the disgraceful exit of their captain and star bowlers needed a major mental and emotional overhaul. Misbah’s quiet and relaxed style was looked at with suspicion to do the needful. But he proved his critics wrong and brought the team out of this black hole to score 26 wins in 57 Test matches. His ability to adapt and change was phenomenal. From being called ‘tuk tuk’, he now carries the record of the fastest 50 in 21 balls and shares the record of the fastest century with Viv Richards.
Younis, on the other hand, was the Rock of Gibraltar; the man of smiles, crisis and team spirit. Although he was an obvious captaincy candidate, he refused captaincy on many occasions, citing that he was not emotionally ready for it. If Misbah was quiet, Younis was vocal. His opinions about PCB earned him a 10-month ban, but he remained true to his beliefs. We often talk about his great batting accomplishments, but not enough about Younis leading Pakistan to its finest hour during the World T20 Cup in 2009 in England. His enthusiasm and his ability to energise the 17-year-old Mohammad Amir and other senior players paved the way for the historic win.
The most inspiring quality about this pair was how they defied their age, circumstances and, at times, their own inconsistent form and kept on bouncing back to only rise higher. They led by example. In their 40s, they were the fittest in the team, putting players half their age to shame. Their contributions of standing up at times of team crisis are almost uncountable. Misbah’s 26 wins under his captaincy are proof in itself as they were not on home ground.
Younis was a fourth innings wall of resistance. He scored five centuries in the fourth innings more than anybody ever in cricket. In 24 Tests that he played out of 28 Pakistan won (out of the UAE) he scored 2,826 runs at an average of 94.20 with 10 centuries.
They were coaches to younger players in the team. Misbah a master against spin-bowling himself brought the best out of Saeed Ajmal and Yasir Shah. Younis nurtured Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. Their resilience is inspiring. They were the saviours, who gave hope in the most painful period of our cricket history.
In 2009, Sri Lankan team was attacked in Pakistan, subsequently banning international cricket in the country. We went through the heartbreaking anguish of being ostracised from international cricket. A team having gone through the trauma of a terror attack and a psychological browbeating by international media was written off for the T20 Cup. But Younis led the team to an unbelievable victory, rising like a Phoenix out of the ashes to bring ecstatic cheers to a demoralised nation.
A year later, Pakistan experienced even more despair as its main batsman and captain Salman Butt along with emerging fast bowlers were banned from playing over accusations of spot-fixing. Misbah came in, held the sinking ship and turned it around by making the team believe in themselves in his unassuming yet unyielding style. Every major win for Pakistan had heroics of the two behind it. It was Misbah’s dogged century at the Lord’s Test in 2016 and Younis’ determined double hundred at the Oval, which made Pakistan even the series (2-2), last summer.
Three names in Pakistan cricket will be remembered: Imran Khan for winning the World Cup in 1992, Younis Khan for winning the World T20 Cup in 2009 and Misbahul Haq for winning the mace and making Pakistan No 1 Test team in the world in 2016. But records are made to be surpassed and broken. What cannot be broken and surpassed are the values these legends carried of spotless integrity, flawless dignity and tireless responsibility of always taking a fierce pride and honour in donning the green cap.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2017.
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