The 38-year-old, who has been one of the most consistent performers for Pakistan in recent times, has been unable to register a half-century in six innings of the President’s Trophy. The right-handed middle-order batsman began the domestic event in the worst manner, bagging a pair and has managed a mediocre tally of 102 runs at an average of 17 for SNGPL.
However, known for his temperament and calm head, Misbah said there was nothing alarming as he was confident of contributing when the tournament resumes after the Eid break.
“There are a lot of matches remaining in the season,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “I’m not going to panic as I’m confident runs are around the corner for me.”
SNGPL, currently second in the 10-team tournament, are just six points behind HBL after four rounds. When asked if SNGPL could win the President’s Trophy title, Misbah said his side was looking at it on a match-to-match basis.
Misbah also appreciated the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to use Kookaburra balls in domestic cricket, stating that it would help players to adjust when they feature at the international level. The PCB’s decision followed complaints from various players of the sub-standard balls being used at the President’s Trophy.
“I feel the decision of using Kookaburra balls will at least help in decreasing the gap between domestic and international cricket. Both bowlers and batsmen will get a fair idea of how the ball behaves.”
‘Cricket fraternity should help Pakistan’
Misbah also urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and teams to help Pakistan in reviving top-flight international cricket in the country as it was really mentally draining to play away from home all the time.
“Pakistan has the second-largest fan-base and is one of the top Test-playing nations. All the other teams should now help us bring back international cricket as our performances also gets affected because of being away from out families all the time. Every top team is playing at home and it has many advantages.”
After successfully staging exhibition matches, the PCB is planning to launch the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) and Misbah felt that players needed to support it since the country’s players have always reciprocated it in other places.
“Top players around the world should come and play in Pakistan’s T20 league because our players have been an integral part of almost all the foreign leagues. PCB allowed its players to take part in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and it’s time for them to reciprocate.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2012.
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around the corner from the intersection of tuk tuk avenue and retirement highway
You and Afridi should now save some grace and quit cricket!
There is a cab around the corner, take that to the end of the world and jump from there. Thank you.
Misbah bring back Shoaib Akhtar he still has a few years in him and the country needs his fast bowing. Bring him back he will win a few tests for you and some one days too. He was ousted by a conspiracy by Afridi and Waqar Yournus. Afridi is the one who holds the world record for maximum failures in a career.
A captain the pakistani fan base did not deserve.. that is how the legacy of Misbah will be remembered.
so is retirement :)
One of my fav player whom you can rely on in TEST cricket and in ODI's also to some extent, above all his fitness level is exceptional.
One of the best captain Pakistan have, when our players were fixing matches this man came out and lead our team to winning era. Pakistan has not lost single text series in his era including white wash to World No.1 England. He play with calm and cool, but our people like hitting and sixes which now not a single Pakistan player can give with consistency.
I thought retirement was round the corner..
@ Afridi fan boys
Just to remind you he is our highest run scorer in ODIS, Last year his stats in all forms of the game was way better than the Mr motor mouth (Afridi) infact his stats were way better than any other player in our national team..
He said the same a year back.
Yes, they are always in corner for you
"Runs just around the corner for me"... and "I am just lazy to go to those corners" says Misbah