Misbah ul Haq has probably received the most amount of undue criticism in the history of cricket. Having inherited a team in disarray, Misbah ul Haq pushed the Pakistan team from the depths of the spot-fixing sage of 2010 into one of the most successful test teams of the last decade. Misbah calmness was exactly what Pakistan needed after the storm in England.
Playing as a middle-order batsman, Misbah ul Haq’s temperament is unflappable. He is the only source of consistency in Pakistan’s unpredictable batting lineup. The reliability stems from his sound technique that has helped him to bat for extended periods of time.
In a region known for its young talents and child prodigies, Misbah was the odd one out, a late bloomer. In his first Test innings in 2001, Misbah scored a patient 28 in two hours at the crease. From 2003 to 2007, he did not play a single Test match because he was being held back by consistency.
Inzamam’s retirement from ODI’s prompted the PCB to award Misbah a contract with the Pakistan team in 2007. The decision arose as a result of a high scoring club cricket season in England. He was also selected for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa. Misbah finished the tournament as Pakistan’s leading run scorer and almost led them to the victory in the final.
In 2011, Misbah truly came into his own as a world class batman consistently performing at the top level throughout the year. Under his captaincy, Pakistan completed their 3-0 whitewash of the then No.1 side, England in 2012.
In a team which is famous for its unpredictable nature, Misbah brought about change and consistency both on the field and behind the scenes. His success has become the benchmark for all Pakistani Test captains to come in the future.