Misbah joins BPL to stay match-fit and motivated

Pakistan Test captain says he wants to avoid any complacency

Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq has signed up for the Bangladesh Premier League to play for Rangpur in the league’s third edition.

"I have signed with BPL," Misbah told ESPNcricinfo.

"I want to carry on and keep myself motivated and maintain my fitness. So whatever cricket comes in I want to play to avoid being complacent."

Misbah recently led Pakistan to a 2-0 win against England in the UAE to bring his team up to the second spot in the International Cricket Council’s rankings.



He had hinted at retiring but the Pakistan Cricket Board urged him to delay his plans till the series against England next year at their home.

Misbah has not played international T20 cricket since he stepped down as Pakistan captain in 2012, but he has been a consistent feature in domestic T20s and foreign leagues.

Misbah has expressed hope to play in the Quaid-E-Azam trophy, Pakistan's premier first-class tournament, and later the Bangladesh Premier League to keep himself match-fit for the next Test assignment.

Afridi, Misbah, Amir keen to play in Bangladesh

Pakistan's domestic season will conclude in February next year. The first Test at Lord's is in July, four months later. So Misbah is keen to secure a contract with an English county to make sure he doesn't turn up undercooked.

"I love the game and want to play it," Misbah had said after the England Test series.



"It's really difficult when you have not played any competitive cricket for six, seven, eight months and suddenly you come and play against top players. So this is a period you need to motivate yourself.

"I can still play domestic cricket and be ready for that kind of challenge, but that's not easy. I have mentioned that before because after retiring from ODIs, I can feel that whenever the Tests come the first game is always difficult and the body mechanism is not working.

“I feel that I am playing after a long time and it takes one or two innings to settle and if you are getting out early it could be horrible for you so these things are there so I am just trying to rethink and work out."