ABU DHABI: What a difference a few weeks can make. Not that long ago, Misbahul Haq was being criticised by Pakistan’s own fans, as chants of ‘Go Misbah Go’ and ‘Tuk Tuk’ followed him around.
All that has changed; the unflattering ‘Tuk Tuk’ moniker has been dispelled concretely as the 40-year-old smashed the joint fastest Test century, equalling a record held by West Indian Sir Vivian Richards.
It took the skipper just 21 deliveries to reach his fifty, breaking Jacques Kallis’ record of fastest Test fifty on the last ball before lunch. However, he was slowed down after the break by some tight balling and conservative field placement and was on 92 off 54 balls, needing to hit two boundaries in two balls to equal the longstanding record.
The Mianwali-born has a penchant for bouncing back when forced into a corner and he has made a career out of it. He displayed the same tendencies when he hit two fours, albeit the second one through a fortunate outside edge, to reach his century in 56 balls.
It is no surprise that the record means so much to the man who is so often criticised for his conservative approach.
“I’ll remember this innings for the rest of my life and it’s an unbelievable feeling to have achieved the feat,” said Misbah. “To get your name alongside that of Sir Viv Richards cannot be described in words. He is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and I’m nowhere near him, so I’m very proud of my performance.”
The times are a-changing
Misbah’s poor run with the bat had come to a head as he opted to sit out the third one-day against Australia, with the series already lost; having failed in the series against Sri Lanka and the two ODIs prior to the third one.
All that changed though in the Test series. Younus Khan’s century in the first innings of the first Test gave heart to Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up and since then, they have plundered runs. Pakistan have scored nine centuries in the two-match series, with Younus scoring three, Misbah and Azhar Ali two apiece and one each from Sarfaraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shahzad. Perhaps the biggest indication has been that Misbah, who had dropped himself for the ODI at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium due to poor form, now returned to the same ground to score two consecutive hundreds against the same opponents.
“The turnaround for me and the team has been really sensational,” he said. “The chastening we received in Sri Lanka and then against Australia in the ODIs really pumped us up and everyone was determined to hit back. We’ve clicked at the right time with the World Cup approaching.”
Having arrived at the crease with his partner on 66, Misbah admits that he came onto the middle with a mind-set of helping Azhar achieve his century; instead he reached the landmark before his partner. “I never thought of scoring the century and my motive today was to help Azhar complete his century and achieve the feat of scoring a century in both innings of a Test,” he revealed. “When I went out, there was no pressure and I tried to hit every ball, which worked for me. When I was on 85, someone came in and told me that I was approaching the world record for the fastest century.”
When asked about scoring a century in both innings, Misbah was eager to lend the limelight to Azhar, who also achieved the same feat. “I’m happy for Azhar and myself that we’ve scored centuries in both innings against such a top side,” he said. “I’ve always rated Azhar very highly because he is an important player for us who has made an impact while batting at number three.”
However, Misbah has refused to get carried away by the change in fortunes and said that he just tries to remain focused and not react to criticism.
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COMMENTS (8)
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The outcome of series with Australia is in fact shocking. We are kind of a nation who never supports our team when they are losing but yes when they are winning, everyone chips in. Its nothing but irony. Majority of us used to criticize Misbah for 24/7, primarily because he was not doing insensible batting like Shahid Afridi. And now after he has achieved many laurels for Pakistan, we all have suddenly become his fan.
This is the right team , we dont need people like Hafeez, Afridi and Akmals in the team. They are a distraction for the team. We have plenty of talent.
Moin Khan and the rest of the selection committee should be shown the door for keeping Misbah and Azhar Ali out of the one day squad. If they could they would have inserted an Akmal borther and Afridi in the test team as well.
Let us not forget the contribution Grant Fowler the batting coach and the trainer who has worked with these batsman. However what can one say about Pakistan and Misbah...In a country two of the sanest and least political people who would be world class anywhere else ...we treat YK and Misbah with contempt and glorify others who can be out in three balls and put the whole team under tremendous pressure. I admire Sethi that he didn't gave in to city politics and stuck with Misbah and Younis whom Moin Khan and his team of selectors tried to dislodge. I am glad we still had time to give these deserving individuals proper credit and send off as they truly deserve. We don't have a single individual in the team who has the temperament, education and sportsmanship that YK and Misbah has and both of whom are truly the ambassadors of the game and the country they represent.
lest we forget legendary Fazal Mehmood, Abdul kadir, especially Fazal for being gracious yet competitive right after partition, 1952 Delhi test. we need these sportsmen to bring out a right culture in sub continent, be it any field. In politics Fazal Ilahi Chaudhari Pakistan president 1977 from Gujarat Pakistan. Where are these great persons nowadays,
In spite of uncharitable comments form Pakistanis, all of us who follow the game have always held Misbah in high regard.
Pakistan has a World Cup team already shaped up. From number one to eight or nine are automatic choice. Number three to number seven are solid batsmen (Azhar to Sarfaraz) and should not be changed. The two spinners can carry us through the WC and beyond. No reason to introduce any politics and ugliness in the winning team. Misbah is already most winning captain of Pakistan and let the gelled team remain intact for most part.
Misbah is a polished, down to earth leader and a role model. He lets his bat do all the talking. He does not dramatize even his highest achievements in the field and in public. Pakistan needs real role models that are educated, and great on and off the field without any politics, scandals or corruption. YK and Misbah are the two greatest gentlemen who only play for the team and are not publicity hungry. I would love to have my kids and grand-kids follow these two greatest players Pakistan has ever produced.