Misbah-ul-Haq or Shoaib Akhtar: Who had a bigger impact on Pakistan cricket and who would be considered a better role model?

[RyanRyan10]

Misbah and Shoaib had completely different influences on Pakistan cricket. Misbah stabilized the team during its darkest phase, leading them to the No.1 Test ranking. Shoaib, on the other hand, brought raw pace, aggression, and fear factor. As a role model, Misbah’s discipline and leadership stand out, but Shoaib’s passion and never-give-up attitude are inspiring too.

Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar were two distinct personalities. Who do you think had the bigger impact on Pakistan cricket? And who would be a more effective role model for younger generations looking up to the sport?

 

[FearlessRoar]

I will choose Shoaib Akhtar because we currently need aggression in our team. He can be a better mentor than Misbah.

 

[daytrader]

I don't see any 150 KPH+ pacers in our teams but I do see many batters in Misbah's mould. So clearly Misbah has a had a greater impact.

Let's have Akhtar actually walk the talk and help in developing talent.

 

[Devadwal]

Misbah and its not even close comparison.

I know Pakistan fans hate Misbah but Misbah was the person who taken out Pakistan from 2010 darkest days

 

[chinaman00]

Misbah and its not even close comparison.

I know Pakistan fans hate Misbah but Misbah was the person who taken out Pakistan from 2010 darkest days

Misbah took Pakistan from darkest to a dark hole.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Misbah is at best one of the Top 500 cricketers to ever play the game.

Shoaib Akhtar is the fastest bowler ever and Pakistan have the distinct honour to have that flex till forever it seems.

There is no comparison.

It’s like comparing Rakhi Sawant with Hania Aamir

 

[Varun]

Misbah has been more successful: more Tests, more ODIs, longevity, captaincy, coaching.

However, Shoaib Akhtar has a better YouTube channel.

 

[Savak]

What a load of Tosh, Misbah is only good and useful for people who suffer from insomnia.

Akhtar has real fan following and will inspire many youngsters to take up express fast bowling.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Misbah had more of an impact because he has leadership and management roles in Pakistan. Now you can debate the impact of this impact ( couldn't think of better words lol) but it is impact nonetheless.
In terms of role model both are flawed. ideally, we get a combination of both of their best characteristics.
At the moment, the players are following a combination of their worst characteristics - Misbah's defensiveness and Shoaib's lack of discipline and fitness.

 

[Local.Dada]

Pakistan cricket was going though spot fixing scandal.

Visiting teams were not coming to Pakistan due to terrorism.

At that time Misbah brought a sense of respect and decorum to Pakistan cricket. He was a gentleman and singlehandedly saved Pakistan from being a complete laughing stock.

I would say Misbah has done a better job than 90% of Pakistani diplomats and politicians in that aspect.

As a batsmen maybe he was limited or boring to watch but as an overall cricket personality, Misbah has a very high stature.

Worst time for Pak cricket and overall criticism of his approach and he still navigated those waters. Nothing but respect.

 

[m.shah]

I would say Misbah Ul haq because he totally destroyed Pakistan cricket with his defensive and negative mindset. The impact is such huge that every other player is following his tuk tuk non sense.

 

[RyanRyan10]

I don't see any 150 KPH+ pacers in our teams but I do see many batters in Misbah's mould. So clearly Misbah has a had a greater impact.

Let's have Akhtar actually walk the talk and help in developing talent.

@topspin @Rana views?

 

[IM NOT YOU]

what impact did Misbah have on Pakistan cricket? he literally won nothing and the biggest legacy he left was "tuk tuk", something which we suffer from as a cricketing nation to this day. Averages are rewarded in domestic cricket because of him, and stroke play is discouraged because everyone is afraid of getting out and losing their spot from just one failure.

Misbah is one of the worst things that ever happened to Pakistani cricket. Comparing him with the legacy that Shoaib Akhtar left behind and the amount of young fast bowlers that he inspired, to this day, is utterly laughable.

 

[Rana]

@topspin @Rana views?

What can you say bro? The guy is clearly confused

He thinks Rizwan’s best format is T20. As if anyone cares what Rizwan’s best format is anyways.

He now says he doesn’t see any batsman of Misbah’s mould in the team, which is a clear indication of having your head in the sand considering it was thoroughly pointed out that the captain of Pakistan is playing ODI at a sr that is at least -20 in comparison to all modern batters in ODI and especially in the middle order.

Let him be.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Shoaib Akhtar had a global fan base, how many kids tried to imitate Shaiby’s bowling? How many kids used to have huge run ups after watching Shaiby?

Misbah ul Haq is mostly remembered for his scoop shot, if that doesn’t tell you who had a better career then nothing will.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Pakistan cricket was going though spot fixing scandal.

Visiting teams were not coming to Pakistan due to terrorism.

At that time Misbah brought a sense of respect and decorum to Pakistan cricket. He was a gentleman and singlehandedly saved Pakistan from being a complete laughing stock.

I would say Misbah has done a better job than 90% of Pakistani diplomats and politicians in that aspect.

As a batsmen maybe he was limited or boring to watch but as an overall cricket personality, Misbah has a very high stature.

Worst time for Pak cricket and overall criticism of his approach and he still navigated those waters. Nothing but respect.

This is one of the most balanced takes on Misbah. As a batsman, he had his limitations, as his struggles in Australia and South Africa showed but in Asian conditions he was very good and all in all, a very capable and reliable middle-order batsman. For someone branded 'tuk tuk' it's ironic that he scored the fastest test century (at the time) against an Australian attack that had annihilated England at home not too long before that. But you're right in that his biggest contribution was bringing respect back to the team after two of the darkest chapters in Pakistan's history. It was also a period of relative stability for Pakistan red-ball cricket which is hard to imagine nowadays and led to one of the most successful periods for Pakistan as a test side in their cricketing history. Certain Pakistani fans can play revisionist history but as test captain Misbah is only surpassed by Imran and Kardar. And he indeed has a very high stature regardless of what certain fans who only watch Tulla20 cricket may say about him.

 

[daytrader]

What can you say bro? The guy is clearly confused

He thinks Rizwan’s best format is T20. As if anyone cares what Rizwan’s best format is anyways.

He now says he doesn’t see any batsman of Misbah’s mould in the team, which is a clear indication of having your head in the sand considering it was thoroughly pointed out that the captain of Pakistan is playing ODI at a sr that is at least -20 in comparison to all modern batters in ODI and especially in the middle order.

Let him be.

Yes bro I'm so confused right now because I said the opposite. I don't understand why you switching up

Batters of Misbah's ilk: Babar and Rizwan.. countless others Saud Shakeel etc.

Bowlers of Akhtar's ilk: ???? Tappiya?

And to add - Rizwan's best format is T20. Your whole gang can't dispute that

 

[Rana]

To this day, who are the most feared fast bowlers any batsman in history had to face?

To this day, who are the most feared batsman any bowler had to bowl to in history?

 

[Rana]

Yes bro I'm so confused right now because I said the opposite. I don't understand why you switching up

Batters of Misbah's ilk: Babar and Rizwan.. countless others Saud Shakeel etc.

Bowlers of Akhtar's ilk: ???? Tappiya?

And to add - Rizwan's best format is T20. Your whole gang can't dispute that

When have Shoaib Akhtar fans ever claimed taipiya from their ilk? Taipiya was never that guy. He had one year where he was 150kmh, since then he has always been around 145-147 max

Akhtar was like this in the last year or so of his career. Only Mark Wood is a bowler who is in the same region of Akhtar, Lee.

 

[daytrader]

When have Shoaib Akhtar fans ever claimed taipiya from their ilk? Taipiya was never that guy. He had one year where he was 150kmh, since then he has always been around 145-147 max

So no one from Pakistan then. Just proves he hasn't left any legacy. And the guy has a cricket academy, he can easily help find the next talent like he himself was found.

Chalo let's leave that aside, we don't have 150kmh bowlers, but Shoaib can at least help the 140+ ones. Why doesn't he involve himself in contributing to the greater cause

 

[daytrader]

To this day, who are the most feared fast bowlers any batsman in history had to face?

To this day, who are the most feared batsman any bowler had to bowl to in history?

Video will probably be deleted but here's a throw back to the most feared bowler being taken to the cleaners by Ross Taylor. 28 runs in the over which included 3 sixes

 

[Rana]

Video will probably be deleted but here's a throw back to the most feared bowler being taken to the cleaners by Ross Taylor. 28 runs in the over which included 3 sixes

Can you also share Misbah’s innings at Mohali where all of Pakistan feared him.

 

[Slim]

Shoaib and Misbah - both had a very deep impact on Pakistan cricket. However one was positive and the other extremely damaging.

Shoaib’s impact was positive where he kept the legacy of pakistani fast bowling alive while inspiring generations to give your everything to bowl fast. He glamorised cricket, made it entertaining and brought a super star attitude to the game.

Misbah’s impact is stat padders like Babar and Rizwan. Because Misbah showed that all you needed was stats and there would be people who would back you even if you dont win matches. You need to play selfish, save your wicket and score your runs. The team or match situation can go to hell. He also introduced a culture where aggression, manly attitude was seen as a negative but meek and yes sir players like Azhar and Asad Shafiq were promoted. Misbah also did deep seated damage to Pakistan cricket as his spiritual off springs in Azhar captained the Pakistan side, damaged it, and are now sitting in powerful positions. He also as a coach and selector damaged Pakistan cricket massively alongwith Waqar and both were rightly kicked off during Ramiz’s time.

 

[Slim]

This is one of the most balanced takes on Misbah. As a batsman, he had his limitations, as his struggles in Australia and South Africa showed but in Asian conditions he was very good and all in all, a very capable and reliable middle-order batsman. For someone branded 'tuk tuk' it's ironic that he scored the fastest test century (at the time) against an Australian attack that had annihilated England at home not too long before that. But you're right in that his biggest contribution was bringing respect back to the team after two of the darkest chapters in Pakistan's history. It was also a period of relative stability for Pakistan red-ball cricket which is hard to imagine nowadays and led to one of the most successful periods for Pakistan as a test side in their cricketing history. Certain Pakistani fans can play revisionist history but as test captain Misbah is only surpassed by Imran and Kardar. And he indeed has a very high stature regardless of what certain fans who only watch Tulla20 cricket may say about him.

Lol seems like you have a penchant of backing absolutely garbage loser players. Misbah, Babar (most important player in Pakistan squad - who remembers that gem of yours? ). I am guessing Azhar, Asad Shafiq types are also your favorite players?

 

[BouncerGuy]

STAY ON TOPIC.... THREAD IS NOT ABOUT RIZWAN

 

[Slim]

Misbah and its not even close comparison.

I know Pakistan fans hate Misbah but Misbah was the person who taken out Pakistan from 2010 darkest days

I know indians would name Misbah, after all he was the 12th player in many matches against India lmfao

That being said, this whole hyperbole about Misbah somehow being saviour of Pakistan cricket just because he didn’t fix matches is ridiculous. If this is the sole criteria then they could have picked any honest man from the road. Misbah was an opportunist and was the right yes man for the management.

 

[daytrader]

Can you also share Misbah’s innings at Mohali where all of Pakistan feared him.

After this drubbing, Akhtar bechara toh Mohali bhi nhi khel paya

 

[Kianig89]

Akhtar debut in 97 and was over the hill by 2007.

Misbah struggled and struggled till 2007, 5 yrs after debut and played till 2016 so wrong comparison

 

[Rana]

After this drubbing, Akhtar bechara toh Mohali bhi nhi khel paya

Khel ke karna kya tha?

 

[Slim]

Akhtar debut in 97 and was over the hill by 2007.

Misbah struggled and struggled till 2007, 5 yrs after debut and played till 2016 so wrong comparison

Oh right, another thing i missed from my earlier post was how Misbah became an example for south asian cricketers to retire as late as possible and with zero shame. He showed that you can stay stuck with your position as long as you stat pad and can eat the careers of many youngsters. Something that Babar and Rizwan learnt very well.

 

[Rana]

Oh right, another thing i missed from my earlier post was how Misbah became an example for south asian cricketers to retire as late as possible and with zero shame. He showed that you can stay stuck with your position as long as you stat pad and can eat the careers of many youngsters. Something that Babar and Rizwan learnt very well.

Excellent point

players like Rizwan and Babar will still feel they have 15 years left in their career because of Misbah as their inspiration

 

[Slim]

Excellent point

players like Rizwan and Babar will still feel they have 15 years left in their career because of Misbah as their inspiration

Winds are changing. People are fed up. They still have a strong PR and you can see some of the most brain dead zombies still backing them. But i dont see them lasting as long as their spiritual hero. InshaAllah.

 

[daytrader]

Del

 

[daytrader]

Khel ke karna kya tha?

Fearsome bowler could've won us the match on his own but alas. Wasn't meant to be. He gave an interview once that it took him 2 years to get over the drubbing of WC 2011

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Lol seems like you have a penchant of backing absolutely garbage loser players. Misbah, Babar (most important player in Pakistan squad - who remembers that gem of yours? ). I am guessing Azhar, Asad Shafiq types are also your favorite players?

Atleast I talk about players who play the game and don't spend my time fawning over a nepotic hire who has managed to con himself into the position of PCB chairman and turn Pakistan cricket into a laughing stock in the cricketing world. Seems seems like you have a penchant of having absolutely garbage opinions on cricket.

 

[Slim]

Atleast I talk about players who play the game and don't spend my time fawning over a nepotic hire who has managed to con himself into the position of PCB chairman and turn Pakistan cricket into a laughing stock in the cricketing world. Seems seems like you have a penchant of having absolutely garbage opinions on cricket.

As things stand, you truly have humiliated yourself by posting utter rubbish as cricketing opinions. That being said the guy i backed as chairman just managed to organize the event succesfully under his leadership.

The players you back cannot even earn a single win, just bunch of jobbers with poor skillset.

 

[Devadwal]

I know indians would name Misbah, after all he was the 12th player in many matches against India lmfao

That being said, this whole hyperbole about Misbah somehow being saviour of Pakistan cricket just because he didn’t fix matches is ridiculous. If this is the sole criteria then they could have picked any honest man from the road. Misbah was an opportunist and was the right yes man for the management.

What is The Akhtar legacy?? He didn't win anything Major for pakistan ?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

As things stand, you truly have humiliated yourself by posting utter rubbish as cricketing opinions. That being said the guy i backed as chairman just managed to organize the event succesfully under his leadership.

The players you back cannot even earn a single win, just bunch of jobbers with poor skillset.

The only person who has humiliated himself is you by bowing down like the clown you are at the altar of Naqvi. It was an embarrassingly organized tournament on a number of levels. And the team's embarrassing performance falls heavily on your daddy too with his incessant backing of Aqib. Here's a pointer, keep your garbage cricketing opinions to yourself instead of projecting on others. Nothing that a clown like yourself says will change Misbah's legacy as test captain and everything he accomplished.

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

I don't like Misbah but objectively in terms of legacy he took over when Pak cricket was at its lowest. Remember the scandal in 2010 came on the heels of Oath gate, the attack on SL team and a number of other issues. Misbah is not given enough credit for how he took the team forward. The man has the 3rd fastest test century against an attack similar to one that recently dominated Sharma and Kohli. His Mohali innings was crap but and his 07 shot was unfortunate but overall he more for Pak cricket than Akhtar who could not even take 200 test wickets, never won an ICC trophy and was in the news for all the wrong things.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Fearsome bowler could've won us the match on his own but alas. Wasn't meant to be. He gave an interview once that it took him 2 years to get over the drubbing of WC 2011

 

[light]

From a cricketing perspective - not personal life, Pakistan would benifit from more Akhtar type of character; walk the talk! Unfortunately for Pakistan, many are like Mishba instead - quiet and puts their head down (not saying Mishba was a bad/weak leader, but gave out that aura).

Just look at the characters when Akthar was playing - Akram, Afridi, Waqar, etc. Each would strike fear into opponents heart. Later in the history, Akhtar will be remembered, Mishba not so much.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

From a cricketing perspective - not personal life, Pakistan would benifit from more Akhtar type of character; walk the talk! Unfortunately for Pakistan, many are like Mishba instead - quiet and puts their head down (not saying Mishba was a bad/weak leader, but gave out that aura).

Just look at the characters when Akthar was playing - Akram, Afridi, Waqar, etc. Each would strike fear into opponents heart. Later in the history, Akhtar will be remembered, Mishba not so much.

I can understand people criticizing Misbah - test cricket is not everyone's cup of tea, and there's no denying that he had limitations as a batsman and a captain. But for the amount of talent and natural ability that the 90s generation had, how much did they exactly accomplish? How many World Cups did we win? Whether you want to admit it or not, their legacy is heavily tainted by match-fixing, in-fighting, toxic dressing room culture, getting caught doing drugs on a beach in the West Indies and all this other type of nonsense. Not to mention getting beaten by an inferior Indian team twice in the 1996 and 1999 WC.

Our problem is that we view the lens of history through moments. People love to talk about how Misbah destroyed Pakistan's culture (as if it was moving upwards before that), but its funny how no one talks about the damage that a toxic dressing room culture, match-fixing, tableeghi jamaat influence and all this stuff did to Pakistan's cricket at a time when we had arguably our greatest ever team. How is it that a team with so many match-winners doesn't have a single World Cup to show for it?

Javed Miandad being removed from captaincy in 1993 was perhaps the biggest nail in the coffin of Pakistan cricket, because it opened the door for people like Wasim and Waqar to take over leadership positions in the team. While there isn't any denying that they are two of the greatest bowlers that Pakistan ever produced, they were also remarkably immature individuals at the time who had no business being in those key leadership positions. Miandad was the natural successor to Imran but Imran, for all his greatness was also an egotistical individual who had a major hand in Miandad's ouster.

Be honest, what's more impressive? Being limited but rising above your limitations to exceed expectations, or having all the talents and gifts in the world and still not living up to your potential?

 

[Major]

@topspin @Rana views?

so the thread turn out to be failure, OP needed to call in support
LMAO

 

[Markhor]

I can understand people criticizing Misbah - test cricket is not everyone's cup of tea, and there's no denying that he had limitations as a batsman and a captain. But for the amount of talent and natural ability that the 90s generation had, how much did they exactly accomplish? How many World Cups did we win? Whether you want to admit it or not, their legacy is heavily tainted by match-fixing, in-fighting, toxic dressing room culture, getting caught doing drugs on a beach in the West Indies and all this other type of nonsense. Not to mention getting beaten by an inferior Indian team twice in the 1996 and 1999 WC.

Our problem is that we view the lens of history through moments. People love to talk about how Misbah destroyed Pakistan's culture (as if it was moving upwards before that), but its funny how no one talks about the damage that a toxic dressing room culture, match-fixing, tableeghi jamaat influence and all this stuff did to Pakistan's cricket at a time when we had arguably our greatest ever team. How is it that a team with so many match-winners doesn't have a single World Cup to show for it?

Javed Miandad being removed from captaincy in 1993 was perhaps the biggest nail in the coffin of Pakistan cricket, because it opened the door for people like Wasim and Waqar to take over leadership positions in the team. While there isn't any denying that they are two of the greatest bowlers that Pakistan ever produced, they were also remarkably immature individuals at the time who had no business being in those key leadership positions. Miandad was the natural successor to Imran but Imran, for all his greatness was also an egotistical individual who had a major hand in Miandad's ouster.

Be honest, what's more impressive? Being limited but rising above your limitations to exceed expectations, or having all the talents and gifts in the world and still not living up to your potential?

I largely agree with this and wish we could've blended the flair and flamboyance of the 90s team with the discipline and professionalism of the Misbah side of the 10s.

I disagree on the bolded part. In total there were two player mutinies against Miandad (which I don't defend as a legitimate way to remove a captain) in 1982 and 1993. One rebellion against your captaincy is bad luck but two suggests something badly wrong with your man management skills.

Combined with multiple coaching/administrative stints ending in flames, and a general persecution complex - Miandad proved too combative for leadership positions. Salim could've been that unifying figure post-Imran and was tactically astute by all acounts, but was a crook.

One thing remains the same. The PCB is a clownish organisation who continually fail to provide stable leadership and put in place structures for sustained success. Until that changes we'll have these same conversations 50 years from now.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I largely agree with this and wish we could've blended the flair and flamboyance of the 90s team with the discipline and professionalism of the Misbah side of the 10s.

I disagree on the bolded part. In total there were two player mutinies against Miandad (which I don't defend as a legitimate way to remove a captain) in 1982 and 1993. One rebellion against your captaincy is bad luck but two suggests something badly wrong with your man management skills.

Combined with multiple coaching/administrative stints ending in flames, and a general persecution complex - Miandad proved too combative for leadership positions. Salim could've been that unifying figure post-Imran and was tactically astute by all acounts, but was a crook.

One thing remains the same. The PCB is a clownish organisation who continually fail to provide stable leadership and put in place structures for sustained success. Until that changes we'll have these same conversations 50 years from now.

I would have expanded on it more but didn't because I had no desire to fight off 20 other posters who would have likely jumped on the post if I said even the slightest positive thing about the 2010s team. Sometimes I feel like bringing up Misbah is more of a hot-button issue on this forum than talking about real-world atrocities. And I have spent long enough defending the Misbah red-ball era to keep having the same conversations with people I don't even know or care about.

Javed undoubtedly had his flaws, but at the end of the day he was a very street-smart captain and tactically I would argue that he was even better than Imran. One of the reasons why his and Imran's combination was so successful in '92 was because they complimented each other really well. Miandad provided the tactical nous while Imran was the strong leader needed to keep the team in-check. I disagree on Miandad's ousters though. Both of them. The first one happened because of egotistical senior players who had their fragile egos bruised because a 23-year old prodigy had been made captain over them. It wasn't exclusive to Pakistan. Kim Hughes suffered an even worse fate a year or so later in Australia, and atleast Javed wasn't bullied by his own teammates so much that he had to resign in tears. As bad as it was, it wasn't as bad as 1993 because there Imran had a major hand in his ouster as a special advisor to the BCCP. Because Imran in all his wisdom thought Wasim was the natural successor to him rather than Javed. The end-result of Wasim's captaincy is there for everyone to see.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Misbah >>> Akhtar.

Misbah actually played and is committed to Pakistan, Akhtar has no din imaan only paisa.

 

[IMMY69]

Whatever Misbah was (impactful, good, bad or even absolute rubbish).... none of it changes the fact that Shoiab was a complete non entity... awful

 

[topspin]

@topspin @Rana views?

A brain dead player who is supported by the most brain dead fans of Pakistan cricket, so I can't say I'm surprised.

 

[light]

I can understand people criticizing Misbah - test cricket is not everyone's cup of tea, and there's no denying that he had limitations as a batsman and a captain. But for the amount of talent and natural ability that the 90s generation had, how much did they exactly accomplish? How many World Cups did we win? Whether you want to admit it or not, their legacy is heavily tainted by match-fixing, in-fighting, toxic dressing room culture, getting caught doing drugs on a beach in the West Indies and all this other type of nonsense. Not to mention getting beaten by an inferior Indian team twice in the 1996 and 1999 WC.

Our problem is that we view the lens of history through moments. People love to talk about how Misbah destroyed Pakistan's culture (as if it was moving upwards before that), but its funny how no one talks about the damage that a toxic dressing room culture, match-fixing, tableeghi jamaat influence and all this stuff did to Pakistan's cricket at a time when we had arguably our greatest ever team. How is it that a team with so many match-winners doesn't have a single World Cup to show for it?

Javed Miandad being removed from captaincy in 1993 was perhaps the biggest nail in the coffin of Pakistan cricket, because it opened the door for people like Wasim and Waqar to take over leadership positions in the team. While there isn't any denying that they are two of the greatest bowlers that Pakistan ever produced, they were also remarkably immature individuals at the time who had no business being in those key leadership positions. Miandad was the natural successor to Imran but Imran, for all his greatness was also an egotistical individual who had a major hand in Miandad's ouster.

Be honest, what's more impressive? Being limited but rising above your limitations to exceed expectations, or having all the talents and gifts in the world and still not living up to your potential?

I think we are arguing about two different things. I am speaking from a character's pov. Don't think that I disagree with what you're saying. Several players - including Mishba - was very talanted on what they did and took the team foward in the best way poissible. Not who accomplished more. There is a reason why names like Shoaib Akhter, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, etc are household names, Players like Rizwan and co won't be remembered for long and will be lost in history. Be honest with me here, how many 'exciting characters' are coming out of Pakistan cricket since the last decade? Even players like Babar - who internationally is well known but character wise is like a mouse. There really isn't big characters that are coming out of Pakistan these days - Shaeen Afridi being the only one at the moment - and that too by not much.

Be honest, what's more impressive? Being limited but rising above your limitations to exceed expectations, or having all the talents and gifts in the world and still not living up to your potential?

Pakistan does not have a talent problem, it has so many people living there, talent surely exists. The problem is the mentality and the people responsible for taking cricket forward. If you're always around people with low expectation mindset, you'll most likely end up with similar mentality.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think we are arguing about two different things. I am speaking from a character's pov. Don't think that I disagree with what you're saying. Several players - including Mishba - was very talanted on what they did and took the team foward in the best way poissible. Not who accomplished more. There is a reason why names like Shoaib Akhter, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, etc are household names, Players like Rizwan and co won't be remembered for long and will be lost in history. Be honest with me here, how many 'exciting characters' are coming out of Pakistan cricket since the last decade? Even players like Babar - who internationally is well known but character wise is like a mouse. There really isn't big characters that are coming out of Pakistan these days - Shaeen Afridi being the only one at the moment - and that too by not much.

Be honest, what's more impressive? Being limited but rising above your limitations to exceed expectations, or having all the talents and gifts in the world and still not living up to your potential?

Pakistan does not have a talent problem, it has so many people living there, talent surely exists. The problem is the mentality and the people responsible for taking cricket forward. If you're always around people with low expectation mindset, you'll most likely end up with similar mentality.

I get your point. Let's stick to Shoaib. I am a big Shoaib Akhtar fan. And even appreciate his extroverted personality more than most people. But his lack of impact on Pakistan's culture is evident by the fact that all the best bowlers coming out of our domestic system are trundlers who bowl at 130 kph. It's not his fault...he was a great bowler. Which is why I resent the basic premise of this thread and a comparison that makes no sense to begin with. One player was a fast-bowler, the other was a batsman. They barely even played together and were largely part of two different eras.

 

[topspin]

Only those who have an appetite for underperforming beta males will say Misbah

 

[Hitman]

One would have to be intellectually bankrupt to consider Shoaib Akhtar a role model. Make whatever you want of his bowling, I won't argue. Hate Misbah as much as you want, I won't argue either. But Shoaib Akhtar, a role model?​

 

[RyanRyan10]

so the thread turn out to be failure, OP needed to call in support
LMAO

Did I take any sides here? When I start a thread wanting know people's opinion, I don't take sides when I make a comparison thread. Besides, I respect for his test match contribution. I have posted in favour of him many times. Here's one of such posts:

Since 1995, Pakistan's record at home (Pak, UAE and 1 test vs Aus in Colombo) is 43 wins and 31 losses that's a W/L ratio of 1.4.

Misbah's captaincy record was 13-4 and his record as a coach was 4-0. If we add up both it becomes 17-4 that's a W/L ratio of 4.25.

Whereas Pakistan's record under other coaches is 26 wins and 27 losss. W/L ratio is 0.97.

Misbah is more than 4 times better than the rest.

My criticism on Misbah is for his style of play in white ball game.