The official also claimed that if Misbah was not fit for the World Cup, the board will be pondering over other captaincy options. PHOTO: AFP
A PCB official told PTI that Misbah has officially requested PCB Chairman to announce his retirement through the board as he does not want to do it himself.
“Unlike Shahid Afridi who went ahead and announced he would retire from one-day internationals after the World Cup, Misbah has said he would like to do it through the board,” said the official.
The official added that he is still interested in leading the side in Tests.
“He is keen to lead Pakistan in the Test series against Sri Lanka, England and India this year," the official added.
Misbah was appointed as Pakistan's ODI captain in 2011 while he is leading the Test side since 2010.
The official also claimed that if Misbah was not fit for the World Cup, the board will be pondering over other captaincy options.
“He is also going to take a fitness test tomorrow and even if he is not fit in time for the World Cup than obviously we have other options to lead the team in mind including Shahid Afridi and some others,” the official stated.
The right time to retire
Misbahul Haq, while speaking on Express News show Sports Hour, confirmed that he was retiring from One Day Internationals, adding that he believed this was the right time to do so.
He added that the decision to reite had been taken after consultations with his family and close friends.
Misbah, however, said that he will keep playing Test matches after the World Cup.
The captain was tight lipped on naming potential successors for the ODI hot seat, saying he did not want to upset any player by taking specific names. Regardless, he hoped that whoever succeeded him as captain, would enjoy the confidence of the board just as he had.
While promising to try his best in winning the World Cup, he cautioned that the team has to look beyond the mega event. He further hoped that he would regain his fitness before the tournament begins for Pakistan on February 15.
Reflecting on his ODI career, Misbah said he was content with the way he had played, but hoped to score multiple centuries at the upcoming World Cup.
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COMMENTS (12)
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A very underrated player. He has shown great character in taking rein of a broken team tainted by spot fixing issues and deserted by Afridi who was appointed as the Test captain. Misbah thank you for the services you have rendered for this nation. Salute!
One of the best cricketing ambassadors Pakistan ever produced!
Congratulations Indeed
Its a good decision and timing is also perfect. Thank you Misbah, we love and hate you at the same time :) you brought stabeility to the team and will be missed. I hope youngster step up after you Afridi and likely Younis retire after WC.
Looking at some of the comments here it's clear that Misbah, a tireless warrior, did not deserve a nation as ungrateful as Pakistan to serve.
.Geoff Boycott once said that his mum could captain a team with McGrath and Warne in it as bowlers and the relentless batting of Haddin and company to go along with it.
Taking over the Pakistani team at a time of strife and the back hole of no home ground cricket, strike bowlers and captains in Jail, YK and Afridi as probably the only two senior members worth their salt, a board that changed chairmen like dirty underwear, and at least half the nation smitten with T20 cricket up in arms against him.
Whitewashing the number one test team and the Australians in tests, and winning in South Africa and India ( specially so after the Aney do, bat wielding, low life adverts), were things we all cherished.
Thank you for leading quietly, with dignity, grace, and poise.
Thank you for bringing and instilling team work and discipline.
All international current and ex players, cricket experts, and journalists, speak highly of you. The barbs of the slam bam thank you ma'am T20 fans do not really matter.
Hopefully the World Cup will be an exclamation point on a career, which really doesn't need one.
Your services to Pakistan are commendable... A true legend who guided the national team under difficult circumstances. Respect!
Thank God!
Like him or not the guy hs more class than Shahid Afridi and many others before him. He may never be compared to the very best Pakistan ever produced, the guy has done very well in very tough times and should be remembered as such.
Retirement matters should be discussed later. Now is the time to focus on your main goal, which is cricket world cup.
Thank god!! Finally!!
Good luck Misbah though i wish you have played the worldcup as a batsman, NOT as a captain.