"I've always had my age as a disadvantage," Misbah said recently. "When I entered first-class cricket or played international, it was the same. At that time you would retire at 32-33, so everyone said, if this guy is debuting at 27, he isn't a long-term option. I suffered a lot due to that, was discouraged by the lack of chances. But I survived because cricket is something I love. It was only because it was my passion that I continued to play as I did.
"I made my debut with Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal and Mohammad Sami. They were youngsters, so they were given chances after that. I think it was too early to give a conclusive judgement on someone who isn't even 30. That's when you get to your physical and mental peak. It's around 30 to 35 that you have to cash in on all the hard work you did in your 20s. Fortunately, I think after myself and Younis bhai, this thinking is starting to change. We are finally focusing on form and fitness and not on someone's date of birth. "
