Misbah-ul-Haq - The End is Nigh?

[Slog]

Sad to see but age has caught up with Misbah-ul-Haq!

And he should call it quits soon for his own good

Been apparent for a while that his reflexes are gone and Age has caught up

 

[StarWolf]

Agree. Should retire after their series. Enough stretching. PCB should have some shame and get its chairman a sanity check the next time he talks about making Misbah captain for the 2018-19 season.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

First PCB Chairman has to be sacked.

Started off good.

Now is a disgrace.

Misbah has to retire too.

 

[Junaids]

Sad but true.

Excellent thread [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION].

He still averaged 49 in the UAE against the West Indies, and probably could for another five years.

But he has played 7 Tests this year in England, New Zealand and Australia. And averages only 30.

But since the century at Lords at the start of the England tour, against an under-strength attack, his average outside Asia in his last ten innings has been just 22.10.

That's not good enough for an international cricketer.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Age doesn't matter when you aren't technically capable. He's simply been exposed.

 

[Pantani]

I think the main issue with Misbah and Younis is they got bogged down and because of their age they aren't quick between the wickets, they can't be busy at the crease. Look at how industrious Sarfraz has been so far, because he's run hard quick singles, and his energy has even drawn Shafiq out of his shell. Pakistan might need to break up Misbah and Younis in the order, get Sarfraz or Shafiq in at five.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Liability as a batsman and gutless as captain.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

How do you gather it's age? He played bad shots in both innings that didn't have anything to do with reflexes. Just really poor batting.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

I think the main issue with Misbah and Younis is they got bogged down and because of their age they aren't quick between the wickets, they can't be busy at the crease. Look at how industrious Sarfraz has been so far, because he's run hard quick singles, and his energy has even drawn Shafiq out of his shell. Pakistan might need to break up Misbah and Younis in the order, get Sarfraz or Shafiq in at five.

So what's Sami Aslam's excuse? He's only 21.

 

[Zak_Fan]

He has always been like this away.

 

[Xoib]

Seems to have lost his hunger after the england series one series too many for him.

 

[silent ischemia]

Agreed. Honestly more disappointed with Misbah's recent failures than Younis Khan's.
The next question is who to replace the veterans in WI.
Usman Salahuddin, Asif Zakir, Umar Amin among the contenders

 

[Pantani]

So what's Sami Aslam's excuse? He's only 21.

Who is making excuses? I am suggesting tactical changes to mitigate the damage that is caused by Misbah and Younis batting together.

 

[aukhan]

If he really wanna retire then i doubt any chairman can force him not to. The decision to continue to play or not is in his hands.

 

[Abdullah719]

Agreed. Honestly more disappointed with Misbah's recent failures than Younis Khan's.
The next question is who to replace the veterans in WI.
Usman Salahuddin, Asif Zakir, Umar Amin among the contenders

Disagree on that, mainly because Misbah wanted to call it a day and was asked to stay on whereas Younis is likely to stay on at least till he gets to 10k, no matter what. Ideally, they both call it quits after this tour.

 

[Zohaib Shah]

This is Misbah's natural game.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Sad but true.

Excellent thread [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION].

He still averaged 49 in the UAE against the West Indies, and probably could for another five years.

But he has played 7 Tests this year in England, New Zealand and Australia. And averages only 30.

But since the century at Lords at the start of the England tour, against an under-strength attack, his average outside Asia in his last ten innings has been just 22.10.

That's not good enough for an international cricketer.

Salman Butt is the perfect candidate to replace misbah as a captain. He has the experience and his average as an opener is pretty good too.

 

[silent ischemia]

Disagree on that, mainly because Misbah wanted to call it a day and was asked to stay on whereas Younis is likely to stay on at least till he gets to 10k, no matter what. Ideally, they both call it quits after this tour.

It was a personal call. Misbah being a more mature human being so its disappointing seeing him fail than the 'pathan'; pun intended

 

[waleed88]

Misbah ul Haq, the only batsmen to get out with a single digit score out of our top 8 batsmen

Isn't that a rare sight... usually its almost everyone else who fails while Misbah stands.. this time its the opposite..

 

[Major]

Yeh and he was also the only batsmen to play 100 balls in the green wicket test in the first in ings of the first test against nz in nz

 

[Madplayer]

I wont say this again openly. Because the last time i said that age has caught up with misbah, he came back in form and scored a lot of runs.

 

[Junaids]

Yeh and he was also the only batsmen to play 100 balls in the green wicket test in the first in ings of the first test against nz in nz

And threw away his wicket in both innings with crazy slogs against the old ball.

 

[Major]

And threw away his wicket in both innings with crazy slogs against the old ball.

i hope you watched the first innings...

why did he went for the slog?

Because he was standing with the last wicket, and had to take the risk at the time

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Misbah is totally finished as a batter. He should retire after this test. He is costing us matches now.

 

[Adil_94]

Misbah has always struggled against bounce and at 42 those weaknesses will only be exposed more.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

i hope he makes a good hundred or fifty in this series and retire on a high which he is intelligent enough to do.
shouldnt get to a point where people beg him to retire just like afridi... He has done so much for the test team to retire on his own with dignity...

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Isn't that a rare sight... usually its almost everyone else who fails while Misbah stands.. this time its the opposite..

many occasions like this happened both in ODIs and tests...

 

[Markhor]

Let's see how he does in the rest of the series. He did pretty well here only last year in the World Cup.

Melbourne and Sydney pitches won't be as quick as this one in Brisbane, nor will he be batting under lights.

 

[arehaan]

I think Misbah will be more successful in Sydney and Melbourne but surely he should call it quits after this series

 

[aloo paratha]

It's only been 2 innings in foreign conditions, he doesn't look great but there is still 2 tests to play, he will bounce back hopefully!

 

[Shafi]

First PCB Chairman has to be sacked.

Started off good.

Now is a disgrace.

Misbah has to retire too.

Exactly!!! But who should be PCB chairman. Our former players are even worse

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Even Misbah knows this, but the PCB chairman is making it hard for him.

 

[spade]

I feel his captaincy is more of a liability than his batting, his strategy or the lack of it is affecting pak team dearly, he has reduced your premier match winner into a stock holding bowler and with the work load he is carrying it won't surprise me if he's injured soon.

He has to retire after this series.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

A great ambassador to the game.

A brilliant captain and a man who lifted Pakistan cricket from depths of gloom to the highest level of no 1 in Test Cricket.

But as Michael Vaughn has aptly put it in the Tea Break on BT Sports

"Misbah is struggling, his footwork is not good enough and he looks like he is struggling against pacers. He might still play the spinners but that is not going to be good enough."


Even though I appreciate the big man for all he has done over his career for the Pakistan cricket team, it's clear to me that he is nearing the end of a glorious career in Pakistan colors.

I know the calls to remove him will become more raucous and hostile and he won't probably deserve it.

I think Misbah should announce that Sydney is his last test for Pakistan colors so that everyone can let the man retire on a high.

Seeing him struggle today made me a bit sad.

He is a wonderful bloke and deserves to go out on a high, not when failed reflexes make him a laughing stock for people who never appreciated him in the first place.

Is the end nigh for Misbah?

Yes.

One just hopes he has a last swansong, before he finishes with a bang.

 

[Big Mac]

I thought the end was nigh seven years ago.

 

[Syed1]

Inshallah..

The end cannot arrive quickly enough

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I thought the end was nigh seven years ago.

It wasn't then, and I never called it.

You have to look at the game sometimes to realize when someone is about to finish.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I agree with you.

Unfortunately age has caught up with him.He can still play on Asian surfaces but,on pitches which have more for the quicks,he will struggle.

 

[LordJames]

Sad to see and admit.

Misbah has served Pakistan well and he hope that he goes out with a bang. For the rest of the series drop himself in the order below Asad

 

[Junaids]

A great ambassador to the game.

A brilliant captain and a man who lifted Pakistan cricket from depths of gloom to the highest level of no 1 in Test Cricket.

But as Michael Vaughn has aptly put it in the Tea Break on BT Sports

"Misbah is struggling, his footwork is not good enough and he looks like he is struggling against pacers. He might still play the spinners but that is not going to be good enough."


Even though I appreciate the big man for all he has done over his career for the Pakistan cricket team, it's clear to me that he is nearing the end of a glorious career in Pakistan colors.

I know the calls to remove him will become more raucous and hostile and he won't probably deserve it.

I think Misbah should announce that Sydney is his last test for Pakistan colors so that everyone can let the man retire on a high.

Seeing him struggle today made me a bit sad.

He is a wonderful bloke and deserves to go out on a high, not when failed reflexes make him a laughing stock for people who never appreciated him in the first place.

Is the end nigh for Misbah?

Yes.

One just hopes he has a last swansong, before he finishes with a bang.

I would go a step further.

If Misbah can't hit a fifty in the second dig here, he should go out on a real high, proving that he is the ultimate team man and leader.

He should drop himself from the Sydney Test, just like Mike Denness did in 1974-75, and announce that his Test career is over.

That would be an act of true leadership, and send a message to Younis and the selectors that you are only selected as long as you help the team.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I would go a step further.

If Misbah can't hit a fifty in the second dig here, he should go out on a real high, proving that he is the ultimate team man and leader.

He should drop himself from the Sydney Test, just like Mike Denness did in 1974-75, and announce that his Test career is over.

That would be an act of true leadership, and send a message to Younis and the selectors that you are only selected as long as you help the team.

Let's be realistic.

Captain doesn't drop himself midway in the series unless it's Shahid Afridi.

 

[Syed1]

I would go a step further.

If Misbah can't hit a fifty in the second dig here, he should go out on a real high, proving that he is the ultimate team man and leader.

He should drop himself from the Sydney Test, just like Mike Denness did in 1974-75, and announce that his Test career is over.

That would be an act of true leadership, and send a message to Younis and the selectors that you are only selected as long as you help the team.

And who do you want to captain the test side in the middle of the series?

 

[moghul]

Let's be realistic.

Captain doesn't drop himself midway in the series unless it's Shahid Afridi.

Mike Dennis, the former England captain, who was a bit older than Misbah, dropped himself from team after a run of low scores during 1974-75 tour down under. Like Misbah he was the captain and was not scoring.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Mike Dennis, the former England captain, who was a bit older than Misbah, dropped himself from team after a run of low scores during 1974-75 tour down under. Like Misbah he was the captain and was not scoring.

And was replaced by ?

Let's look at potential replacements in Pakistan team.

Besides Sarfraz no one is a potential captain.

 

[moghul]

And was replaced by ?

Let's look at potential replacements in Pakistan team.

Besides Sarfraz no one is a potential captain.

Whats wrong with Azhar Ali as test captain ?

 

[EliteCynical]

Age doesn't matter when you aren't technically capable. He's simply been exposed.

Don't agree. Dravid, Sachin and Laxman were exposed very badly in 2011 in Aus (after Eng). The very fact that body is unable to react to the pace and bounce of the Aus wickets should indicate that one is past it on foreign tracks. Eye sees the ball, Mind processes the line and instructs body to react. Unfortunately the reaction is slow due to the age, and the adjustment needed to be made for the fast pitch is the difference. He can still play in UAE for a season or 2.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Whats wrong with Azhar Ali as test captain ?

Azhar Ali is a good test batsmen, best for Pakistan infact.

But his ODI captaincy tells all you need to know about his captaincy in tests.

 

[Junaids]

Mike Denness, the former England captain, who was a bit older than Misbah, dropped himself from team after a run of low scores during 1974-75 tour down under. Like Misbah he was the captain and was not scoring.

Exactly!
[MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION]
We are at a point at which Misbah is incapable of contributing further as a batsman to this team outside Asia.

But he is an honourable man and a really good leader.

And he would do his country a huge service in terms of both the cricket team and even politics if he acted as a role model in departing the scene with grace now that his end is obvious.

Not scratching on at Sydney. Going now.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Exactly!
[MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION]
We are at a point at which Misbah is incapable of contributing further as a batsman to this team outside Asia.

But he is an honourable man and a really good leader.

And he would do his country a huge service in terms of both the cricket team and even politics if he acted as a role model in departing the scene with grace now that his end is obvious.

Not scratching on at Sydney. Going now.

Well Salman Butt is not going to fly suddenly even if he announces his retirement before Sydney.

Who do you propose replaces him and Younis at Sydney?

Look at the team now and tell me who will replace Misbah and Younis.

Not some fantasy team that will fly from Pakistan in place of these lads.

 

[moghul]

Everyone is honorable , not just Misbah, but YK and Misbah being very selfish here, not thinking about team by not retiring.

 

[Buffet]

Age doesn't matter when you aren't technically capable. He's simply been exposed.

Don't agree. Dravid, Sachin and Laxman were exposed very badly in 2011 in Aus (after Eng). The very fact that body is unable to react to the pace and bounce of the Aus wickets should indicate that one is past it on foreign tracks. Eye sees the ball, Mind processes the line and instructs body to react. Unfortunately the reaction is slow due to the age, and the adjustment needed to be made for the fast pitch is the difference. He can still play in UAE for a season or 2.

You are talking about age mattering if you were good in certain conditions. He is saying age being a non-factor if you are not good in certain conditions. Two different things.

 

[moghul]

Age doesn't matter ? who says that ? Why Lara , Tendulkar and Richards are not playing at the moment ? Why Waqar is not bowling and sitting in commentary box ?

 

[EliteCynical]

You are talking about age mattering if you were good in certain conditions. He is saying age being a non-factor if you are not good in certain conditions. Two different things.

And in Misbah's case, I'm refuting it by saying that he is a technically sound guy, just like the Indians. Just that he has gotten old and reactions are slow for Aus pitches.

 

[Junaids]

Well Salman Butt is not going to fly suddenly even if he announces his retirement before Sydney.

Who do you propose replaces him and Younis at Sydney?

Look at the team now and tell me who will replace Misbah and Younis.

Not some fantasy team that will fly from Pakistan in place of these lads.

It doesn't matter - the series is lost and the crucial thing now is to effect the changing of the guard, the generational change.

I'd like to see Misbah retire and Younis be dropped after Melbourne, with Sharjeel or Rizwan and Nawaz replacing them.

The series is gone now. The important thing is for this not to have been a wasted journey and for the generational change to happen now.

This will be 5 consecutive Test defeats, and 7 since July.

But if the past-their-best batsmen are removed as a result, it will have been worthwhile.

Just like Hobart started off Australia's generational change.

 

[Buffet]

And in Misbah's case, I'm refuting it by saying that he is a technically sound guy, just like the Indians. Just that he has gotten old and reactions are slow for Aus pitches.

Oh, ok, I didn't catch it.

I personally don't think that Misbah was ever technically sound as some Indian names you used in examples above when it comes to playing in certain conditions.

 

[Buffet]

It doesn't matter - the series is lost and the crucial thing now is to effect the changing of the guard, the generational change.

I'd like to see Misbah retire and Younis be dropped after Melbourne, with Sharjeel or Rizwan and Nawaz replacing them.

The series is gone now. The important thing is for this not to have been a wasted journey and for the generational change to happen now.

This will be 5 consecutive Test defeats, and 7 since July.

Pakistan still has 16 wickets in match and Aus has to also bat to score runs. You are making it sound as if test is totally gone. Let both sides bat one time fully. Aus batting is not experienced as well.

 

[Big Mac]

Why Waqar is not bowling and sitting in commentary box ?

Because he averages 40 in Australia and doesn't want more phainty

 

[Junaids]

Pakistan still has 16 wickets in match and Aus has to also bat to score runs. You are making it sound as if test is totally gone. Let both sides bat one time fully. Aus batting is not experienced as well.

I've watched a lot of MCG Tests.

After 51 overs this is really a 195-2 wicket, not a 142-4.

Pakistan has too few runs, the bowlers are fresh again and Pakistan have picked a bowler who is cooked after one 6 over spell.

The change in the middle-order is long overdue - it should have happened after South Africa 3 years and 11 months ago - and this is the chance to make that change.

 

[endymion248]

And who do you want to captain the test side in the middle of the series?

Salman Butt.

 

[Buffet]

I've watched a lot of MCG Tests.

After 51 overs this is really a 195-2 wicket, not a 142-4.

Pakistan has too few runs, the bowlers are fresh again and Pakistan have picked a bowler who is cooked after one 6 over spell.

The change in the middle-order is long overdue - it should have happened after South Africa 3 years and 11 months ago - and this is the chance to make that change.

I have caught few in MCG as well and not disagreeing that Pakistan has scored slow here, but Aus batting is also shaky. If Warner is not firing again then it won't be so easy with so many newbies in this line up. I just hope that Pakistan doesn't fold cheaply otherwise Aus will be under no pressure despite having a newbie batting line up.

My comment was not based on just Pakistani batting.

 

[Madplayer]

Ominous signs. Age doesnt show mercy.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Don't agree. Dravid, Sachin and Laxman were exposed very badly in 2011 in Aus (after Eng). The very fact that body is unable to react to the pace and bounce of the Aus wickets should indicate that one is past it on foreign tracks. Eye sees the ball, Mind processes the line and instructs body to react. Unfortunately the reaction is slow due to the age, and the adjustment needed to be made for the fast pitch is the difference. He can still play in UAE for a season or 2.

The players you mentioned were technically capable at one stage. Age factor can be applied to them.

 

[EliteCynical]

Oh, ok, I didn't catch it.

I personally don't think that Misbah was ever technically sound as some Indian names you used in examples above when it comes to playing in certain conditions.

I mean, yeah not like Sachin and Dravid may be, but the problem is the same. In fact it made me think as to how many batsmen, 36 and above would you see who would have scored a 100 in Aus. I did a quick check and believe it or not, there are only 11 batsmen after 1980.

Of these 11, six were scored in Adelaide , 1 in Sydney and 1 in Hobart which may not be the fastest/bounciest pitches in Aus (Still take my hat off to Sunny who scored twice, Dilshan, Imran, Gooch, Gatting and LAra who scored a double)

2 of the hundreds were scored in Brisbane, which one might think is fast and bouncy. Llyod scored one and Kallis the other. While Kallis is technically proficient, he did make the adjustment in his game. I cannot comment on Llyod's innings due to lack of knowledge.

The only 100 scored by an individual aged 36 or above in Perth is Viv Richards in 1988, who scored 146 (albeit not the greatest bowling attack consisting of Lawson, Hughes, Dodemaide,Waugh and May). Even if you take away the fact that the match had three hundreds, one has to take their hat off to Viv, I suppose. He was an incredible batsman, no doubt.

Sorry for the long story, but what I am trying to say is that I don't see many technically proficient players in there (except Gavaskar) including the Fab 4 players from India, and the reason for that has to do with the reflex adjustment, most of it is mental I suppose. Misbah and YK have the chance to do it on this trip.

 

[Timewaster]

Wow after a few failure the knives are out for Misbah. Before the last Test the knives were out for Younis and Shafiq. Misbah is fine, I expect him to come good in this series with at least a fighting 50

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Misbah should do a Dhoni if Pak lose this series in MCG.

He's not someone who is looking for a send off really and tbh chances are it wont be a good one if he does play as well.

So let Sarfaraz or Azhar take over in the final test, it will be a great experience for them even if they lose to captain at SCG.

 

[Pantani]

I don't know, he looked good against Lyon. So I still reckon he could do a job for Pakistan in the UAE, where he won't be tested by pace as much. But it's up to him if he wants to retire here or not.

 

[Junaids]

Wow after a few failure the knives are out for Misbah. Before the last Test the knives were out for Younis and Shafiq. Misbah is fine, I expect him to come good in this series with at least a fighting 50

Younis and Misbah failed in NZ too.

Both need a century in all three remaining innings to "come good" and get their averages over 40 for the tour.

Numbers 4 and 5 are crucial. One fifty in five Tests doesn't even come close to acceptable.

 

[Junaids]

Even a fifty in all three remaining innings would only lift Misbah's tour Test average to 25 and Younis Khan to 27.

That's how badly Misbah and Younis have let themselves down, let their teammates down and let their country down by being unrealistic and arrogant enough to think they could survive in Australia in their forties.

 

[Justcrazy]

Younis and Misbah were hidden by UAE slow pitches , they were finished long back.

 

[endymion248]

It's clear that Misbah is being forced to carry on. Even today, he was just slogging because he doesn't want to grind it out as usual. He wants to retire. I blame PCB rather than Misbah for this.

 

[Markhor]

Younis and Misbah were hidden by UAE slow pitches , they were finished long back.

Misbah averaged 40 and was our most consistent bat in England. Younis hit the matchwinning double hundred on the most sporting pitch of the series at The Oval so its not accurate to say they were finished long back.

In hindsight both veterans probably should've called it a day after the England tour but PCB pressured Misbah to stay on for New Zealand and Australia.

 

[moghul]

It's clear that Misbah is being forced to carry on. Even today, he was just slogging because he doesn't want to grind it out as usual. He wants to retire. I blame PCB rather than Misbah for this.

Yeah, poor Misbah is a young kid. who doesn't want to play but big brother forcing him too. No one can force anyone, it Misbah's own selfishness and being in denial.

 

[Abdullah719]

Yeah, poor Misbah is a young kid. who doesn't want to play but big brother forcing him too. No one can force anyone, it Misbah's own selfishness and being in denial.

So if you reluctantly agree to something that you didn't intend to do in the first place, you're being selfish?

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?233699

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?233297

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?246225

If you read above, you will clearly see how much emphasis Shahryar Khan put on 'doing his utmost' to 'ensure Misbah stayed on'. That paints a pretty clear picture of what happened and why Misbah still is captain.

 

[endymion248]

Yeah, poor Misbah is a young kid. who doesn't want to play but big brother forcing him too. No one can force anyone, it Misbah's own selfishness and being in denial.

He's carrying on because PCB doesn't have a captain to replace him. The opposite of selfish.

Then, again, to some people, being unselfish means abandoning your team in the middle of an overseas test series.

 

[Slog]

Younis and Misbah were hidden by UAE slow pitches , they were finished long back.

Yes that's why Misbah averaged 40+ in England and YK scored a double century

 

[Slog]

Even a fifty in all three remaining innings would only lift Misbah's tour Test average to 25 and Younis Khan to 27.

That's how badly Misbah and Younis have let themselves down, let their teammates down and let their country down by being unrealistic and arrogant enough to think they could survive in Australia in their forties.

Not having them doesn't mean we would have someone who would have done better. Whoever played would have failed almost certainly with the ensuing whine fest on how they were made to play on tough tracks.

Ofcourse this is totally ignoring that there isn't ANY cricketing argument to not play them. The same thing was said about them in England and they did OK especially Misbah

And it's funny how you totally ignore the role of a level head like Misbah on a tour such as this for Pakisfan

 

[Solid Snake]

Yes that's why Misbah averaged 40+ in England and YK scored a double century

But but they were flat pitches! England was understrength! What good is a match winning double if there weren't flashy pleasing on the eye 30-40s scored every 2-3 innings??

Come on you should know better. Bring back the Akmals, Butts and Shezads

 

[Seamer]

Asad Shafiq should move up to number 5 and Misbah should retire. The lineup in West Indies should be:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Sami Aslam
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Younis Khan
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Babar Azam
7. Sarfaraz
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Hassan Ali

 

[moghul]

He's carrying on because PCB doesn't have a captain to replace him. The opposite of selfish.

Then, again, to some people, being unselfish means abandoning your team in the middle of an overseas test series.

Anyone who is contributing to the team with bat or ball could be better captain than a "non-playing" captain Misbah. Whats wrong with Azhar or Sarfaraz being captain ?

 

[PakLFC]

Misbah is past his sell by date now. This is not criticism rather something that happens to all sports people. At his age best days are behind him now. Time to leave before he is called this and that.