'Misbah to retire from ODIs after World Cup'
ODI captain believes this is the right time to retire from the short-format, but will continue playing Tests
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
KARACHI:
Pakistan Test and ODI skipper Misbahul Haq is reported to have informed PCB that he will quit the 50-over format as soon as the World Cup is over, according to Press Trust of India (PTI).
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.
Pakistan Test and ODI skipper Misbahul Haq is reported to have informed PCB that he will quit the 50-over format as soon as the World Cup is over, according to Press Trust of India (PTI).
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.