"Why did Misbah play that shot (in 2007 WT20 final)? He could have hit it straight" : Yuvraj Singh

[Tusker]

Cant believe its already been 10 years since that epic win. How time flies !

 

[MenInG]

Not considered even as one of the favourites of the competition, India went on to win the inaugural World T20 beating their arch-rivals Pakistan in the final by 5 runs. In the tournament, the two teams met twice and both the encounters ended up in thrilling finishes. In the first encounter, both teams were tied on the same score and the Men in Blue won the game which was decided with a now-defunct bowl-out.

The finale was going towards a fabulous finish but Misbah was fighting a lone battle for Pakistan as they were reduced to 104/7 chasing a score of 157 runs. Misbah brought the game to the last over and Pakistan needed 6 runs to win off the last four balls before he decided to play a scoop shot and mistimed it, which went straight into the hands of short fine-leg fielder Sreesanth.

Opening up on the decision to play that shot recently, Misbah said that he was confident that he will be able to pull that off as he had scored many boundaries and it was very productive for him throughout the tournament but conceded that it might have turned into overconfidence on that very ball.

Speaking during an interaction with his former Pakistan teammates, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah said, "In 2007, I always say that throughout every game, I scored so many fours playing that shot. Even with the fine leg in place, I was taking singles while playing that shot against Australia. Against spinners, I used to beat fine leg with that shot.

"So, you can say I got overconfident. I mistimed the shot on which I had the most confidence," he added.

However, this wasn't the only knockout game against India where Misbah was the last batsman standing for his teammate as it was a similar situation in the semi-final of the 2011 Cricket World Cup as well. The 1992 champions were reduced to 184/7 and still required 48 runs to win. Misbah scored 56 runs but couldn't get his team across the line.

“Throughout the World Cup, we were scoring heavily in the batting powerplay towards the end. The thought was that even if we needed 100 runs in the final 10 overs, we had a batting powerplay of five overs. If we had wickets in hand, we could've easily chased it down. I was standing alone in the final five overs of powerplay and I got to play only 2 overs. We lost the game by 20-22 runs and I didn't play three overs of powerplay at all. There was no batsman at the other end," he said.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...oop-shot-in-t20-wc-2007-final-vs-india/854027

 

[jnaveen1980]

Yuvraj singh can say the same to TEndulkar in 2003 final lol A trundler was bowling. Sreesanth was not fully back. He sensed an opportunity. People have done it before, failed as well. Kapil dev in 1987 world cup played a poor shot. Gatting or someone made fun of him i think. Eventually Gatting himself ended up playing a 10 times more stupid shot in the final.

 

[sweep_shot]

That was a very strange shot from Misbah. Pakistan needed 7 runs from 4 balls. There was no need for that shot.

 

[umarf76]

Yuvraj singh can say the same to TEndulkar in 2003 final lol A trundler was bowling. Sreesanth was not fully back. He sensed an opportunity. People have done it before, failed as well. Kapil dev in 1987 world cup played a poor shot. Gatting or someone made fun of him i think. Eventually Gatting himself ended up playing a 10 times more stupid shot in the final.

Well said and great references.

 

[Ab Fan]

That was such an amazing game and the best India Pakistan game I have ever watched.

Misbah was a lone warrior in that game for Pakistan. We Indians didn't thought that we will defend such low total against them. But the wicket of Afridi on duck gave us some hope.

Harbhajan who did well in the semifinal game vs Australia was smashed all over by Misbah. Luckily for us, he just couldn't close that game. As Indians, we enjoyed whole night but did felt for Misbah who played a wonderful knock. Now when I look at scorecard though, I was a bit surprised that he got 43 of 38 balls.

 

[pillionrider]

One of two occasions when I've applauded a Pakistani player in a game vs India.

I found myself clapping when Misbah smashed Harbhajan, and was a bit shocked that I did that. When Sreesanth finally took the catch, I lost my mind, but also felt sorry for Misbah and this kind of dullened the moment. And this wasn't unique to me. The friend I was watching it with, who is more rabid than me when it comes to Ind-Pak games, was also full of praise for Misbah while the game was on. That night, we went to a pub on Brigade road and later were sitting on the kerb musing on the game when several cars drove by hooting, with guys shouting leaning out of the open windows. But somehow we didn't feel like cheering back at them. In fact, I remember feeling like slapping one guy who was exhorting us to cheer.

The other occasion I applauded a Pakistani player was after Afridi's almighty slogs to Ashwin during the Asia Cup. Brute power - the greatest slog I've ever seen because it was sheer power and zero timing that took the ball over the boundary.

 

[AAli98]

Wasim Akram: This is a million-dollar question. How come...okay I understand that you are the most experienced, you know your game and you know your weakness and strength. But in our cricket, I have never seen anyone hit a reverse lap or sweep shot. I know they do hit got cricketing shots, towards mid-on, mid-off, square leg and mid-wicket...
Misbah ul Haq: Mere baad marna chordh diya hain inhone. 2007 final ke baad.
Wasim Akram: Oh...now I remember.
Misbah ul Haq: Logon ne dekha ki isko jeene nehin de rahein hain toh humbhi nehin marenge. Jo 15 chauke maare they woh kisiko yaad nehin. Maine zindagi mein woh shot kabhi miss nehin kiya. Agar mein samne marta, udhr bhi toh fielders the. Agar spinner bowl kar raha he and fine leg circle me khadi hain, main uske upr se maar sakta tha, woh bhi flight bowl ko. Mera execution hi galat thi.

 

[TheSultan]

Another excuse from the master of excuses

 

[Mamoon]

Misbah played an incredible innings in the final. It was a poorly executed shot and it happens. The real culprits were the serial bottlers Younis and Hafeez who made a meal of the run chase. Younis running Nazir out was also a pivotal moment. He was looking very dangerous and had he stayed on the crease for 2-3 additional overs, Pakistan could have run away with it.

 

[daytrader]

Another excuse from the master of excuses

Where's the excuse if he's admitting he couldn't execute the shot

 

[Sarwar89]

Where's the excuse if he's admitting he couldn't execute the shot

Misbah already hit Joginder Sharma straight six. What we are not understanding is, what was his mind thinking, on what grounds he was even thinking that Joginder is 140 km bowler & i can scoop him. He & Younis khan are responsible for our historic loss in world cup final, a world cup which was 1 shot away 1. Instead India won the world cup after 24 years gap. I must say some players were serious bottlers from Pakistan who were born in late 60’s to early 70’s. Ironically younis also fell to joginder. We certainly made joginder sharma as Joel Garner sharma that day.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Misbah played an incredible innings in the final. It was a poorly executed shot and it happens. The real culprits were the serial bottlers Younis and Hafeez who made a meal of the run chase. Younis running Nazir out was also a pivotal moment. He was looking very dangerous and had he stayed on the crease for 2-3 additional overs, Pakistan could have run away with it.

Pakistan was gone for all money by 16th over 104/7 staring at a huge defeat. They needed 54 in 4 overs. Even now 54 in 4 overs is a tough ask even for top order. You think Rizwan/babar can score 54 in 4 overs? He had to play with tail. Tanvir gave him good company. Nowadays we talk about best bowler having to bowl 19th over. Even back then Dhoni made the correct call of using RP sing in the 19th over. That is where Dhoni put a slight pause on Pakistan's remarkable fairy tale come back.

 

[AAli98]

Last ball of Ind innings Hafeez at boundary straight to him.. parries it over the boundary 6 pak lose by 5 runs.

 

[Mp812]

Misbah played an incredible innings in the final. It was a poorly executed shot and it happens. The real culprits were the serial bottlers Younis and Hafeez who made a meal of the run chase. Younis running Nazir out was also a pivotal moment. He was looking very dangerous and had he stayed on the crease for 2-3 additional overs, Pakistan could have run away with it.

True.
Nazir was looking dangerous and 2-3 more overs of him at crease and perhaps story would be different.
However India had Pakistan 6 down at 80 and one of the wickets was Afridi who had been outfoxed by Irfan Pathan for 0. After that it was an uphill task for anyone.
Credit to Misbah he brought the game close because other wise a 20- 25 run loss was on cards instead of a close game

 

[Kriketer]

Mis bah 5 runs!

Just like Miandad six, this Misbah scoop is forever to be remembered. That was such a nothing ball and he could have easily crossed the rope. He regardless played a champion knock that night and brought the game back for Pakistan.

One could even say it was Misbah's scoop that started IPL

 

[Ab Fan]

Misbah already hit Joginder Sharma straight six. What we are not understanding is, what was his mind thinking, on what grounds he was even thinking that Joginder is 140 km bowler & i can scoop him. He & Younis khan are responsible for our historic loss in world cup final, a world cup which was 1 shot away 1. Instead India won the world cup after 24 years gap. I must say some players were serious bottlers from Pakistan who were born in late 60’s to early 70’s. Ironically younis also fell to joginder. We certainly made joginder sharma as Joel Garner sharma that day.

Didn't Dhoni pushed the fielder towards long off after Misbah hit a six previous ball? He probably thought that if it get mistimed,he will be caught at long off so instead went for that scoop.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Mis bah 5 runs!

Just like Miandad six, this Misbah scoop is forever to be remembered. That was such a nothing ball and he could have easily crossed the rope. He regardless played a champion knock that night and brought the game back for Pakistan.

One could even say it was Misbah's scoop that started IPL

ICL started IPL lol But India win definitely gave a boost.

 

[shaz619]

Misbah became an ultra defensive player after that one shot, it haunted him for the rest of his career.

I’d say he avenged his most horrible defeats by winning the mace but then disgraced his reputation and legacy during his coaching hiring/stint

 

[jnaveen1980]

Misbah became an ultra defensive player after that one shot, it haunted him for the rest of his career.

I’d say he avenged his most horrible defeats by winning the mace but then disgraced his reputation and legacy during his coaching hiring/stint

He could have become a power player. He hit the second longest six of the tournament 111 meter.

 

[jnaveen1980]

That is not even the worst by a player. Bringing so close and faltering. Think about guys like Broad. He looked like a joke after 6 sixes. Look now. Same way after Stokes singlehandedly losing T20 final he more than redeemed himself. Chetan sharma after the six picked up a hatrick. Things happen. You can always come back and redeem yourself.

 

[pakpassfan]

the idea that there wouldn't have been ipl had pakistan won that final is the biggest load of nonsense i have read on this forum

it had absolutely nothing to do with the ipl. nothing at all.

Yes you are right..that shot had nothing to do with IPL..that shot gave birth to ICL..then BCCI killed ICL and launched IPL

 

[karthikc]

I still remember when Misbah was hitting those sixes so easily and it seemed Pakistan would win. Ravi Shastri said "His mind is working like a computer"...

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

Why do we blame Misbah? Let's look at some other scores from that match:

Mohammad Hafeez - 1
Kamran Akmal - Duck
Shoaib Malik kaptaan sahab - 8
Mard e momin ghazi e millat Pir e Bhutan Sharif Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi - Duck
Umar Gul - Duck

 

[WengerOut]

An innings can be great regardless of the outcome. Otherwise Sachin's knock in the Chennai Test could have been phrased similarly "Why did you play that shot??? "

 

[jnaveen1980]

An innings can be great regardless of the outcome. Otherwise Sachin's knock in the Chennai Test could have been phrased similarly "Why did you play that shot??? "

Exactly. Kapil's shot in 1987 semi final, Gatting's shot in 1987 final. You back yourself to do. Sometimes it may not come off at the worst possible time

 

[Suleiman]

By far the bigger blunder of the match was Hafeez’s drop at the boundary in the first innings. Had he not helped the ball over the boundary that’s 4-6 runs right there that we wouldn’t have to get in our chase.

That’s who we should be mad at. Catching a simple ball in the air is easier than hitting 5 off 1.

We were on course for a massive loss until Misbah showed up, but he definitely screwed up at the end. Joginder did not have the pace to be scooped against. He’s a dibbly dobbly bowler at a gentle pace of 110-120, how could you think that was a good idea?

Should’ve chosen another area he was doing well in hitting.

 

[Suleiman]

Last ball of Ind innings Hafeez at boundary straight to him.. parries it over the boundary 6 pak lose by 5 runs.

Yep. Hafeez was always ready for a crucial drop catch. They showed a stat in the 2014 Asia Cup that he had a drop rate of 40%. Insane.

The important games he cost us by bottling or dropping catches far outweigh whatever bilaterals he’s helped us win.

 

[TheSultan]

People forget a simple thing about this innings which makes it even more pathetic than it was.

Misbah walked in after 8 overs at the fall of the 4th wicket. His strike rate was horrendous in the first 2/3rd of his innings. He basically choked initially when the pressure was on. Then the match was all but over where everyone was expecting Pakistan to lose, the pressure came off. Surprise surprise he just threw his bat at it when there was no pressure. Even then it wasn’t enough because it required sohail tanvir’s 2 sixes to keep them in the hunt.

Then in the final over when there was a realistic chance of pak winning again, pressure on and he CHOKED again!

It was a truly pathetic innings which really showed what a mental midget he was. Unfortunately he got some accolades for it and it set the blueprint for all his Ltd overs innings after that - I.e make the match out of reach so pressure is off, hit some useless sixes, when things start looking good, choke, but it doesn’t matter then, he’s duped everyone again.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

People forget a simple thing about this innings which makes it even more pathetic than it was.

Misbah walked in after 8 overs at the fall of the 4th wicket. His strike rate was horrendous in the first 2/3rd of his innings. He basically choked initially when the pressure was on. Then the match was all but over where everyone was expecting Pakistan to lose, the pressure came off. Surprise surprise he just threw his bat at it when there was no pressure. Even then it wasn’t enough because it required sohail tanvir’s 2 sixes to keep them in the hunt.

Then in the final over when there was a realistic chance of pak winning again, pressure on and he CHOKED again!

It was a truly pathetic innings which really showed what a mental midget he was. Unfortunately he got some accolades for it and it set the blueprint for all his Ltd overs innings after that - I.e make the match out of reach so pressure is off, hit some useless sixes, when things start looking good, choke, but it doesn’t matter then, he’s duped everyone again.

and what was Malik, Younis, Kamran, Hafeez and Afridi's SR in that match? If I am not wrong Malik scored something like 8 off 17 deliveries.

 

[TheSultan]

and what was Malik, Younis, Kamran, Hafeez and Afridi's SR in that match? If I am not wrong Malik scored something like 8 off 17 deliveries.

That’s not the point is it? We are judging his innings, not their innings. If you want to judge their innings yes, rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. Happy?

My point about misbah’s innings still stands. Whataboutism won’t change it

 

[TheSultan]

An innings can be great regardless of the outcome. Otherwise Sachin's knock in the Chennai Test could have been phrased similarly "Why did you play that shot??? "

That was a monumental choke in itself.

 

[zaidihusain]

Failures of 2007 T20 WC Final:

Kamran Akmal: 0(3)
Hafeez: 1(3)
Younis Khan: 24(24). Too slow & also got
Imran Nazir runout. As a senior player which he always used to claim proudly, he should have shown better game awareness. Nazir was not a regular player
Shoaib Malik: 8(17) Always failed to perform on big occasions
Afridi: 0(1) As usual played highly irresponsible shot

 

[Kianig89]

Let's not scratch the past Misbah did his best it happens main thing is that India's win is still.considered a fluke

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Failures of 2007 T20 WC Final:

Kamran Akmal: 0(3)
Hafeez: 1(3)
Younis Khan: 24(24). Too slow & also got
Imran Nazir runout. As a senior player which he always used to claim proudly, he should have shown better game awareness. Nazir was not a regular player
Shoaib Malik: 8(17) Always failed to perform on big occasions
Afridi: 0(1) As usual played highly irresponsible shot

Imran Nazir was injured and had exhausted his use of a runner option in the semi. Going for a tight single was sheer stupidity by Younis knowing Imran wasn't able to run properly in that game.

 

[TheSultan]

Failures of 2007 T20 WC Final:

Kamran Akmal: 0(3)
Hafeez: 1(3)
Younis Khan: 24(24). Too slow & also got
Imran Nazir runout. As a senior player which he always used to claim proudly, he should have shown better game awareness. Nazir was not a regular player
Shoaib Malik: 8(17) Always failed to perform on big occasions
Afridi: 0(1) As usual played highly irresponsible shot

Misbah himself was 16 off 21, then 17 off 24 balls. It was only that one over from Harbajhan, that’s pretty much all he did.

It required 2 sixes from Sohail Tanvir and an edge for four by Asif to get it down to 12 off the last over.

 

[hitthestump]

Didn't Dhoni pushed the fielder towards long off after Misbah hit a six previous ball? He probably thought that if it get mistimed,he will be caught at long off so instead went for that scoop.

Just watched it again and think this is probably what happened.

The inability to trust Amir at the other end meant Misbah knew he had to go for a boundary given the chance.

The idea of pre-meditated scooping was fine but the execution wasn't there.

Misbah probably nails that against a trundler like Sharma 99 out of 100 in a non pressure situation.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

That’s not the point is it? We are judging his innings, not their innings. If you want to judge their innings yes, rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. Happy?

My point about misbah’s innings still stands. Whataboutism won’t change it

It was a collective batting failure. What Misbah, Imran Nazir and Tanvir did were the only positives that day. Not every one has the ability to do what Hussey, Bevan and Dhoni used to do. Even Inzi was a good finisher. That knock was the only silver lining that day for Pak even though we fell agonizingly short against a team that played better cricket than us. It doesn't make Misbah a bad player. Just that he wasn't that good to take us over the line.

Malinga choked out in wt20 2012 final big time, Steyn did so in 2015 semi, Yuvraj in 2014 final, Stokes in 2016 final, Viv in 83 final. Does that make them bad players?

 

[hitthestump]

People forget a simple thing about this innings which makes it even more pathetic than it was.

Misbah walked in after 8 overs at the fall of the 4th wicket. His strike rate was horrendous in the first 2/3rd of his innings. He basically choked initially when the pressure was on. Then the match was all but over where everyone was expecting Pakistan to lose, the pressure came off. Surprise surprise he just threw his bat at it when there was no pressure. Even then it wasn’t enough because it required sohail tanvir’s 2 sixes to keep them in the hunt.

Then in the final over when there was a realistic chance of pak winning again, pressure on and he CHOKED again!

It was a truly pathetic innings which really showed what a mental midget he was. Unfortunately he got some accolades for it and it set the blueprint for all his Ltd overs innings after that - I.e make the match out of reach so pressure is off, hit some useless sixes, when things start looking good, choke, but it doesn’t matter then, he’s duped everyone again.

Hmmm. Would you say any of this to Misbah's face, given the opportunity?

Your analysis is fine but your tone is very questionable given Misbah's achievements for Pakistan.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Just watched it again and think this is probably what happened.

The inability to trust Amir at the other end meant Misbah knew he had to go for a boundary given the chance.

The idea of pre-meditated scooping was fine but the execution wasn't there.

Misbah probably nails that against a trundler like Sharma 99 out of 100 in a non pressure situation.

It was Asif. And Asif couldn't hold the bat properly. The pressure got to Misbah that day and he fell short. Bigger players than Misbah have failed to get their teams over the line in knockouts.

 

[sam_ahm]

Misbah was hitting it so clean that day, I think he wouldn't have missed had he hit straight, even if he would have and got out, it probably wouldn't have felt that bad for Pak fans because it was the right thing to do, he was just hitting it so clean.

I remember this is exactly what my friend said at that time too, although we all were very excited at the win he said "He was hitting it so clean, why didn't he hit straight?"

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan lose most games because of wrong XI they play. In this game also Pakistan played far too many bowling options instead of proper batsmen.

Asif , Gul , Tanvir , Arafat , Afridi , Malik , Hafeez.

The turning point was NOT Misbah shot , it was the school boy run out of Imaran Nazir , he did not ground his bat and got run out.

He had made 33 from 13 balls by then , If he stayed another 3 overs , he would have probably hit 60 - 70 runs in 25 odd balls.

 

[TheSultan]

w​

Hmmm. Would you say any of this to Misbah's face, given the opportunity?

Your analysis is fine but your tone is very questionable given Misbah's achievements for Pakistan.

Err yes I would, why not?

His achievements even if you believe are great, should have nothing to do with giving a cold, hard analysis of a particular innings.

I can’t see anyone proving be wrong.

It’s either “oh he did better than so and so” or “I don’t like the tone”

It was a pathetic innings when you look at it without tuk tuk tinted glasses.

 

[jnaveen1980]

At 78/6 if a batsman had faced only 3 balls even now that is what they will do. They will try to take it as deep as possible. Any suicidal shot then would have been curtains. I understand his inability to pace ODI innings ( a reason why never had a ODI 100). But this particular innings situation definitely required someone to take it deep. Dhoni would have done exactly the same. If anything he would drag it to 19th over before attacking. After Irfan Pathan's double strike going after him and getting out will receive even more criticism. Non strike was a non regular batsman. Yasir Arafat. Odds were heavily stacked against Pakistan. I doubt any other batsman that too when T20 cricket was in infancy stage could have pulled that off. Pakistan lost the match in the first 10 overs. Last 10 overs were mere face saving act. But Misba almost turned it around.

 

[zaidihusain]

Misbah himself was 16 off 21, then 17 off 24 balls. It was only that one over from Harbajhan, that’s pretty much all he did.

It required 2 sixes from Sohail Tanvir and an edge for four by Asif to get it down to 12 off the last over.

You are right up to some extent. No doubt Misbah was too slow in the beginning and he just managed to took the game till the end with the support of Yasir Arafat, Tanveer & Asif. The match might have gone in Pak's favour if Malik or Afridi had played sensibly up to 16-17 over. The contribution in that match from self proclaimed legends like Hafeez, Kamran, Malik & Afridi was zilch.

 

[jnaveen1980]

All said and done Misba is lucky charm for India Any time he top scores for his side in a world cup match India wins

4 out of 4

 

[hitthestump]

All said and done Misba is lucky charm for India Any time he top scores for his side in a world cup match India wins

4 out of 4

View attachment 117482

To be fair top scoring in the Misbah era wasn't very difficult. We were 30-3 in every match in those days. Very dark times though that discussion needs a thread of its own.

 

[MenInG]

Today is another anniversary!

 

[NishanKonar]

Misbah - the legend who launched the billion dollar IPL story which changed world cricket forever !

 

[shah9425]

It was a tough loss to digest
Still stings after 16 years

 

[ArabKnight]

It’s the shot that made Misbah the dictator of Pakistan cricket.

A chief selector, a head coach, a chairman, a captain for like 6 years, and who knows what else.

Most undeserved and unqualified player who continues to haunt Pakistan cricket to this day by occupying prime lucrative job positions in the PCB.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

It’s the shot that made Misbah the dictator of Pakistan cricket.

A chief selector, a head coach, a chairman, a captain for like 6 years, and who knows what else.

Most undeserved and unqualified player who continues to haunt Pakistan cricket to this day by occupying prime lucrative job positions in the PCB.

He was the one who single handedly brought us back into the match. Otherwise, we were nowhere close to being in this match.

 

[ArabKnight]

He was the one who single handedly brought us back into the match. Otherwise, we were nowhere close to being in this match.

Sure, but we lost the match because of him as well.

We reward mediocracy and punish gems. There are countless more important, competent, talented players that are languishing after retirement and are unemployed. Players that didn’t even get a farewell match at the very least.

 

[SM1989]

Hafeez lost us the match by not taking a catch and sending the ball over the rope for a six.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan lost the game because of poor team selection , they lacked one pure batsman, played too many bowling options.

Asif , Gul , Tanveer , Yasir , Hafeez , Afridi , Malik ,

Also , Kamran and Afridi getting out for ducks. If they had played 10 balls each , they would have 30 runs at least .

 

[mikeypbadana86]

Imran nazirs run out was turning point not misbahs scoop shot. He could have gone long on or long off. with no pace, he could have been caught at long on /long off. I recently watched the highlights, younis khan played maiden over which was a crime.

 

[Mp812]

In my opinion misbah was mot the culprit. Younis who played out a maiden and then run out nazir was the villain. Then there was afridi who came with the belief that first ball six was the only way to go. Of course pathans delivery outfoxed him as well. However if afridi had little cricketing sense he would have surely could have won the game.
Misbah infact brough a lost game so close. Just was unlucky not to finish it. However dhoni also gets the credit of surprising everyone by giving joginder last over. Misbah was caught by surprise too and probably not able to mentally process quickly how to go about getting reqd uns to joginder dibbly dobbly pace.

 

[TheSultan]

Misbah played that shot because he was, is and always will be a mental midget. For all his talk of soaking up pressure, all he ever did was his usual 3 card trick.

1. When there’s pressure and something to play for, freeze and just block, block, block to the point where the pressure comes off because all hopes of victory are almost gone and the fielding side start going through the motions

2. With the pressure is off, hit out in a bit of a hit and hope situation with nothing to lose.

3. When somehow a win starts looking realistic again and the pressure is back on, choke and lose the game.

Unfortunately fickle fans only look at the scorecard and point 2, but forget point 2 only happened because of point 1 and point 3 undid anything good he did in point 2.

It worked a treat in 2007 so he used it over and over again to stretch out his career because of the support of fickle fans.

 

[MenInG]

Misbah played that shot because he was, is and always will be a mental midget. For all his talk of soaking up pressure, all he ever did was his usual 3 card trick.

1. When there’s pressure and something to play for, freeze and just block, block, block to the point where the pressure comes off because all hopes of victory are almost gone and the fielding side start going through the motions

2. With the pressure is off, hit out in a bit of a hit and hope situation with nothing to lose.

3. When somehow a win starts looking realistic again and the pressure is back on, choke and lose the game.

Unfortunately fickle fans only look at the scorecard and point 2, but forget point 2 only happened because of point 1 and point 3 undid anything good he did in point 2.

It worked a treat in 2007 so he used it over and over again to stretch out his career because of the support of fickle fans.

Guess he could have been bowled out on the first ball he faced and spared you the heartache?

Guy was a hero for taking us so close that day.

 

[TheSultan]

Guess he could have been bowled out on the first ball he faced and spared you the heartache?

Guy was a hero for taking us so close that day.

Respectfully this is wrong, for all his lusty blows he still didn’t get us close. He had basically given up and just wanted to stay not out. He was still reliant on a tailender (Sohail Tanvir) in his first ever world tournament to hit 2 sixes to even make it possible.

Moreover, read my last 2 paragraphs of my last post.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Back when he was actually a decent LOI bat. And even then managed to choke. It was an absolute choke. No two ways about it. If you can't execute the right shot against the right bowler under pressure. What else is it?

And it's not the only time. He choked against India earlier in the tourney and also in Mohali.

Horrible choker and by Mohali, he had grown old and become absolutely mediocre in LOIs anyway.

 

[Thanos]

Life or sport, you take decision hoping for good but sometimes it works sometimes doesn't. He played that shot hoping to clear the circle but failed. He shouldn't be the only player blamed for defeat in 2007 final.

For me Misbah's inning in 2011 semi was shocking. At times I felt suspicious of his intention because he looked comfortable and in control at crease. Every shot was coming from middle of his bat and yet he was guiding the ball directly to fielders. Unbelievable. Anyway thank you Misbah for our last two world cup trophies.

 

[Srinath_cricket]

That one shot turned Misbah from hero to zero for the majority of Pakistani fans.

Tbh the thing that puzzled me the most is why Misbah, with all that hitting ability, always went to his shell in ODI cricket. Not asking him to hit sixes every over, but simple rotation of strike would've done. He took it too deep to the point where he not only ensured a collapse was avoided... but actually ruled out a pak victory.