The question about Misbah

[BoomBoomCricket]

The question about Misbah-ul-Haq is why is there a question? Pakistan undefeated in a Test series since the shameful summer of 2010. Draws against South Africa and in the West Indies, away wins against New Zealand and Zimbabwe, and a ‘home’ success against Sri Lanka - a sequence of results that exceeds expectations. Misbah has the second-highest Test average for a captain after Don Bradman (minimum ten Tests). Why murmurings of discontent?

Some people are never happy. Others are only happy if Pakistan play a certain way: an aggressive, entertaining form of cricket that Pakistan’s returning talisman, Shahid Afridi, has taken to an extreme. The best form of defence is attack, said Imran Khan, and the mentality of Pakistan cricket was transformed.

Curiously, Misbah has resurrected the defensive outlook of Pakistan teams before Imran’s captaincy. It is a long step backwards and it feels unnatural. Pakistan turned down two borderline run chases in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka. They batted slowly and set deep fields when they might have risked close-in fielders. In Sharjah, that defensive tack might have come unstuck had rain and bad light not intervened.

But it didn’t. Luck has sided with Misbah; every successful captain is indebted to good fortune. As unnatural as turgid defence feels, it is a necessary evil in this current life of Pakistan cricket. A period of stability was required to shake an image of predictable unpredictability. Misbah’s Pakistan are unpredictably predictable. It is a nasty medicine, a bitter taste, but improved results will rebuild confidence and respect.

The one-day series offers Misbah an opportunity to silence his critics and demonstrate his flexibility. His squad is packed with attacking cricketers, and the binary outcome of a limited-overs match must force Misbah to adopt a more positive outlook, surely? He might have an exasperating way of going about his job but Misbah, the king of dot balls, has played a valuable role in transforming the on-field fortunes of Pakistan cricket.

Questions about Misbah’s suitability for the captaincy will persist, the nature of the beast is at odds with the mood of the herd, but sport is a results business first and Misbah has them aplenty to support his case for caution. The next question is whether Misbah’s Pakistan develop a more expansive style once some stability and sanity has been restored?

All the best captains reinvent teams in their own image. The immediate image in my mind’s eye is of Misbah prodding forward, dot-balling to his heart’s content. I have other images too, swashbuckling almost reckless ones. This Misbah fellow might not be to everybody’s taste but he is tenacious and capable of surprise.

http://blogs.espncricinfo.com/pakspin/archives/2011/11/the_question_about_misbah.php

[boomboomcheema]

Misbah easily the Best Pakistani captain ever since Imran Khan .

[BoomBoomCricket]

Misbah easily the Best Pakistani captain ever since Imran Khan .

After Imran and Wasim he is next on the list IMHO

[boomboomcheema]

Wasim was a bit Dodgy hence didnt include him . Wasim had far better resources compared to Misbah both in batting & bowling so whatever Misbah has achieved with a weak team and the stability that he has brought to the team is incredible .

[siccric]

Very very underrated captain. Pakistani captains don't need to be tactical - they just need to be sensible leaders of teams with a lot of conflicting personalities. Misbah is the man.

I get why some people aren't happy with his captaincy... but I think his style of batting is more frustrating than his defensive (sensible) captaincy

[Asim2Good]

his real test haven't started yet and he is best captain ? :zaka

[Afridi_Fan]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

[RehanG]

After Imran and Wasim he is next on the list IMHO

Wasim??? on what bases?

[JibranAnsari]

With limited resources in batting and with a newish bowling attack(see srilanka) ,we are doing a good job. I believe ruthlessness will come with time.

[shahrukh619]

After Imran and Wasim he is next on the list IMHO

Sorry but someone who had a shaddy past can't be the best captain of Pak.

I agree that Misbah-Ul-Haq Khan Niazi is the best captain after Imran Khan Niazi

Both are cousin's btw, so that explains from where Misbah gets it:misbah

[Afridi_Fan]

lolz.. .. .

that word : Afridi in ur name says it all/..!

What the hell does that suppose to mean?

So without touring all the places I mentioned and winning there Misbah is a GREAT captain? Look beyond the Afridi name.

[shahrukh619]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

:facepalm: He just got a freaken win against Sri Lanka no.3rd odi team in the WORLD!!! TWO TIME WORLD CUP FINALIST

some people............

[Shayan]

Misbah isn't a great captain yet. However, he deserves to be the captain of this team because he warrants a place in all 3 forms of the game and has done an amazing job since taking over.

I do feel that Afridi may have unfairly lost the captaincy after the world cup, but Misbah now holds the position, has performed well, and there is no reason to change anything.

Still feel he gets undue criticism solely because of 2 disappointing performances in big games against India.

[cricfan4ever]

lol over exaggeration much???

He's proving to be a good captain so far...but the best after Imran is going way too far...our test batting has ways to go...so hold your horses!!!

[BoomBoomCricket]

lol over exaggeration much???

He's proving to be a good captain so far...but the best after Imran is going way too far...our test batting has ways to go...so hold your horses!!!

test batting line up average score has increased from 210 to 360 under him...

340 or more in 9/13 innings

before they were bowled out under 100 3 times in a tour

Only been bowled out once in the 2nd innings in 10 innings

7 centurions under him

before there were none in 6 tests

how much more improvement do we need?

dont mention run rates :facepalm

[violet_may]

Folks, don't make it into an "Afridi vs. Misbah" thread.

[siccric]

What the hell does that suppose to mean?

So without touring all the places I mentioned and winning there Misbah is a GREAT captain? Get a life and look beyond the Afridi name. I know he scares you in lonely nights but try to look at the post not the username.



I do have to agree with you. He is by no means a great captain... it is too early to tell right now. Pakistani teams usually fall apart after visiting Aus and Eng so yeah, there are bigger tests to come

Still, he has done a great job with the resources he has, and the situation he took over in. Hope it continues

[Shaheerthe2nd]

:facepalm: He just got a freaken win against Sri Lanka no.3rd odi team in the WORLD!!! TWO TIME WORLD CUP FINALIST

some people............
But he must win this series against Sri Lanka. One win won't count for much if we end conceding the series in the next couple of matches.

Than we can start praising Misbah.

[talha3]

I'm a big Misbah fan but don't agree with comparisons to some legend captains.

Misbah has been excellent and long may he continue. The players respect him, are united with him and he plays best when he's captain.

[ManHOOS]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

Top post sir :bow:

plz post more .. your runs are very few :))

[JibranAnsari]

Why do an afridi fan has to be a misbah hater and vice versa?

[Afridi_Fan]

Top post sir :bow:

plz post more .. your runs are very few :))

Keep watching. I am in mood to keep on posting.

Anything else?

[cricfan4ever]

test batting line up average score has increased from 210 to 360 under him...

340 or more in 9/13 innings

before they were bowled out under 100 3 times in a tour

Only been bowled out once in the 2nd innings in 10 innings

7 centurions under him

before there were none in 9 tests

how much more improvement do we need?

dont mention run rates :facepalm

our batting is one dimensional and on pitches outside Sub-continent/UAE will certainly be exposed...about the only guy capable of scoring big outside of these places is :yk in the team right now because he understands the art of rotating strike...

SR is JUST as IMPORTANT as OCCUPYING the wicket no matter how TEASING the line of the bowlers !!!

[Afridi_Fan]

Why do an afridi fan has to be a misbah hater and vice versa?

I have no idea. I expressed what a genuine cricket follower will tell you. Wins against WI B side, Ireland will not make you great.

Yes, win against SL is a good one. I am not doubting that one bit.

But the real test will be series abroad (Not in UAE as Home) against Australia/South Africa/England and India. If you think pointing that out makes me hater. Then I am a Misbah hater.

[osee_bhai]

You have to look at the quality of players other captains like Imran had compared to Misbah. I think he's doing a great job.

[BoomBoomCricket]

our batting is one dimensional and on pitches outside Sub-continent/UAE will certainly be exposed...about the only guy capable of scoring big outside of these places is :yk in the team right now because he understands the art of rotating strike...

SR is JUST as IMPORTANT as OCCUPYING the wicket no matter how TEASING the line of the bowlers !!!

New Zealand proved differently

next two series are in Asia so no need to panic

we will talk about it when its exposed

lets look at the conditions in front of them now and play accordingly

scoring rates in UAE tend to be on the slower side because the pitches are slower and captains are more defensive as there is not much in the wicket for the bowlers...its difficult to get out once you're in but scoring is actually hard and batsmen have to scrap deep to find the runs...

[Afridi_Fan]

:facepalm: He just got a freaken win against Sri Lanka no.3rd odi team in the WORLD!!! TWO TIME WORLD CUP FINALIST

some people............

If I remember correctly, please correct me if I am wrong. Under Afridi's captaincy we beat the same SL side on their home soil in WC. So, by going your logic Afridi is also a GREAT captain, even greater than Misbah because he defeated SL at their home?

One win doesn't mean anything. We have to win abroad against other top teams. Once Misbah does that then yes, he is a GREAT captain.

[JibranAnsari]

I have no idea. I expressed what a genuine cricket follower will tell you. Wins against WI B side, Ireland will not make you great.

Yes, win against SL is a good one. I am not doubting that one bit.

But the real test will be series abroad (Not in UAE as Home) against Australia/South Africa/England and India. If you think pointing that out makes me hater. Then I am a Misbah hater.
Agree with you but you got to give credit to our B team? Remember last english summer, you can name the survivors. Azhar Ali , saeed ajmal, umar gul and umar akmal. We are literally playing a different team with a bowling attack beheaded after spot fixing and not much flare in the batting to talk about. But unlike the previous teams we are willing to fight out and that makes misbah an exceptional captain. Afridi's cockiness cost him the captaincy, he was doing very well as well.
With limited resources Misbah has done very well,still can't be a great.

[RehanG]

If I remember correctly, please correct me if I am wrong. Under Afridi's captaincy we beat the same SL side on their home soil in WC. So, by going your logic Afridi is also a GREAT captain, even greater than Misbah because he defeated SL at their home?

One win doesn't mean anything. We have to win abroad against other top teams. Once Misbah does that then yes, he is a GREAT captain.

o bhai mere sabar karna! Newzealand / Windies / UAE / Zimbabwe ok less strong oppositions but still we are going towards right direction, look how players are playing now days with much more confidence and yes day by day we will improve:) don't need to hate him if you can't like though..

[shahrukh619]

If I remember correctly, please correct me if I am wrong. Under Afridi's captaincy we beat the same SL side on their home soil in WC. So, by going your logic Afridi is also a GREAT captain, even greater than Misbah because he defeated SL at their home?

One win doesn't mean anything. We have to win abroad against other top teams. Once Misbah does that then yes, he is a GREAT captain.

So wait, the captain record of 1 loss and 20 wins is just a useless record????????

When he beats Sri Lanka in this series then he would be called great captain????

I know that typical Misbah haters would go on to say that Sri Lanka was to easy wait till he faces England AUstralia, Bla Bla Bla.

Hello South AFrica test series last year!!!!!!!!


Afridi was not a bad captain, but his mistake was that he Violated his contract which could be a bad influnce to younger cricketers. Talking to media saying stupid stuff like calling Amir sohail Ghatiya and not encouragin his players infront of media.

[Afridi_Fan]

Who the hell said I hate him? Where the hell did I say that? Unlike most of fans, any player who puts on Pakistani shirt and plays for Pakistan I am not his hater. If you think that not agreeing that Misbah is great captain makes me hater. Fine, I am one.

[Afridi_Fan]

So wait, the captain record of 1 loss and 20 wins is just a useless record????????

When he beats Sri Lanka in this series then he would be called great captain????

I know that typical Misbah haters would go on to say that Sri Lanka was to easy wait till he faces England AUstralia, Bla Bla Bla.

Hello South AFrica test series last year!!!!!!!!


Afridi was not a bad captain, but his mistake was that he Violated his contract which could be a bad influnce to younger cricketers. Talking to media saying stupid stuff like calling Amir sohail Ghatiya and not encouragin his players infront of media.

Kiddo I said wait till he plays abroad, till then he is a good enough captain. Once he wins there, then yes he will become a great captain.

[90MPH]

He is not great, but certainly very good especially considering all the controversy last year - many teams would have found it very difficult to recover from all that.
More sterner tests await But I would back him to continue the captaincy role at least for another year.

[shahrukh619]

Kiddo I said wait till he plays abroad, till then he is a good enough captain. Once he wins there, then yes he will become a great captain.

UAE is abraod :facepalm:

God even our Indian poster don't even say that.

[Afridi_Fan]

UAE is abraod :facepalm:

God even our Indian poster don't even say that.

Is this a home series or not? Simple yes or no, don't get complicated.

[JibranAnsari]

We played a home series in england as well against australia.

[boomboomcheema]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

Has Afridi ever won matches for Pakistan consistently against stronger sides to justify his fan following or fake legendary status ?

Last year India lost the odi series against zimbabwe but Pakistan won it under Misbah .

India won the test series in nz by 1-0 , same for Pakistan under misbah .

what else he must do ?

[boomboomcheema]

UAE is abraod :facepalm:

God even our Indian poster don't even say that.


Indian Posters respect Pakistani Legends more than rubbish Afridi fans who only support there Afridi and disrespect anyone who they think is danger to Afridi.
Misbah is getting no respect from Afridi fans because Misbah is the captain something Afridi fans are still not getting used with till now .

[Afridi_Fan]

Has Afridi ever won matches for Pakistan consistently against stronger sides to justify hi fan following or fake legendary status ?

Last year India lost the odi series against zimbabwe but Pakistan won it under Misbah .

India won the test series in nz by 1-0 , same for Pakistan under misbah .

what else he must do ?

Afridi has his fans since the day of his debut. The captaincy stint has nothing to do with his fan following. If that was the case he would have lost millions of fans now that he is no more captain.

Pakistan also won the ODI series against NZ, who was the captain then? Do not make it Afridi Vs Misbah thing. As I said Misbah is a good captain right now, but MILES away from being Great. Win series against the top nation in their backyard then surely he will become the great captain since The Legend that was Imran Khan.

[shahrukh619]

Is this a home series or not? Simple yes or no, don't get complicated.

Do you know the exact meaing of home and away series

Like why people critisize people who score tons of runs in Home games.

That's cause home games conditions are well known to the player as they have played plenty of games on that home pitch, plenty of first Class cricket

Pakistan doesn't play First Class cricket in UAE. UAE is a neutral ground technically.

[cricfan4ever]

New Zealand proved differently

next two series are in Asia so no need to panic

we will talk about it when its exposed

lets look at the conditions in front of them now and play accordingly

scoring rates in UAE tend to be on the slower side because the pitches are slower and captains are more defensive as there is not much in the wicket for the bowlers...its difficult to get out once you're in but scoring is actually hard and batsmen have to scrap deep to find the runs...

no one scored a 100 in that series from Pak's side, the closest anyone got was Misbah 99...

besides, NZ attack was nothing to be wary off except for lets say Vettori who we have generally played well and the pitches were more batsmen friendly...do not bring up the NZ collapse because that was due to exceptional bowling by our bowlers to skittle out NZ on a flat wicket...and even in NZ our RR was below 3 for the most part against an ordinary attack minus Vettori!!!

point is, it is about time they started showing some more urgency to score rather than just blocking everything otherwise it'll be difficult to score against better attacks (SA, Eng, and Aus)

[MVP26]

Misbah has been doing a great job but sometimes he is gets really defensive.

[rhussain33]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet? Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.Misbah has been doing a great job but sometimes he is gets really defensive. I agree with both points..

The question about Misbah is...

Hashim Amla gets 112 off 134 on seaming fast bowlers track

And Misbah gets 9 off 86 not out on a flat UAE track...

Both chasing targets of 230 odd

The question also comes when he starts pulling this strategy in ODIS like Mohalli

[violet_may]

Do we have Hashim Amla sitting around somewhere in Pakistan at the moment?

You make do with what you got. Misbah is no Inzi but he is the best option. Fair enough to criticize his downfalls though, because he is not perfect. He is a good captain for Pakistan, right now.

[zains_rulez]

Misbah ... Knows the game pretty well thats why he's going best as a captain... Go Misbah :)

[saeed-sohail]

Fans demanding Misbah wins a series in Aus/SA or Eng need history lessons on Pakistan cricket.
We have never won a test series in Aus/SA or WI in our entire history. Last time we won in Eng was 15 years ago.


Welcome talentless wonders and sloggers.

[shahrukh619]

I agree with both points..

The question about Misbah is...

Hashim Amla gets 112 off 134 on seaming fast bowlers track

And Misbah gets 9 off 86 not out on a flat UAE track...

Both chasing targets of 230 odd

The question also comes when he starts pulling this strategy in ODIS like Mohalli

This comming from a fawad alam fan, the guy who can't even hit a four. He was he reason why we lost the south Africa series in UAE on batting pitches. Enuff said

[shahrukh619]

Misbah the best captain after imran khan

[Fireworks11]

Misbah's record is impeccable. His calm demeanour has transformed the team, say what you want about Jo'burg and Mohali (Yes, two massive let downs) but his stats do the talking. Quite remarkable.

[SOSami]

Do we have Hashim Amla sitting around somewhere in Pakistan at the moment?

Yes :moyo

:asif

[duostyle]

The next question is whether Misbah’s Pakistan develop a more expansive style once some stability and sanity has been restored?

Aye. This is what all of us want from this team next.

Also, Misbah's place amongst past captains will be rightly decided once he hangs up his boots, till then it's a useless practice.

But any sane fan can see he is the right choice for captaincy at the moment.

[SOSami]

Every interview Misbah does shows he is acutely aware of the microscope Pakistani cricket is under at the moment.

Whether or not you like him as a player, it's nice to have a sensible broad-minded captain in charge.

For too long we as Pak fans have had to deal with captains who are racked with self-doubt and insecurities that affect their relationship with fellow players, the media and the board - that's not a comment aimed solely at Afridi, but to his predecessors too.

[kkmix]

errr ... Misbah has done a decent job. He hasn't been tested too much. After he captains against England, Australia and South Africa, we can really judge him. As of now, he is only good.

[1137moiz]

This comming from a fawad alam fan, the guy who can't even hit a four. He was he reason why we lost the south Africa series in UAE on batting pitches. Enuff said
What a horrible comment

Misbah is top notch and not nearly as defensive as some say MashaAllah. Misbah captainedvery cleverly today, it's not running around geeing your tropops upo that makes you an aggressive captain. Imho Afridi (though he was a good motivator in a tough time) and Malik (not supported by seniors and with a starved resource of players/games) were Pakistan's most defensive captains of the recent past.

[qamar84]

i don't understand all the thread we made for misbah afridite lalland fan come into it and ruin it

[shahrukh619]

What a horrible comment

Misbah is top notch and not nearly as defensive as some say MashaAllah. Misbah captainedvery cleverly today, it's not running around geeing your tropops upo that makes you an aggressive captain. Imho Afridi (though he was a good motivator in a tough time) and Malik (not supported by seniors and with a starved resource of players/games) were Pakistan's most defensive captains of the recent past.

I was talking about Fawad Alam. Fawad Alam lost us the South Africa series, i still remember it.

[BoomBoomCricket]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

He has beaten Australia in 2009 T20 match as captain

He has beaten India in 2008 Asia Cup match as captain

just stop the blind hate

[Smooth_Operator]

I agree he needs to go to Australia/India/South Africa/England as captain...


I'm sure he will do well... but I don't think he has enough years in him to do all that.........

Captaincy in Tests has been good though, but I wouldn't call him the best since Imran Khan.

[Pete Rose]

I have no idea. I expressed what a genuine cricket follower will tell you. Wins against WI B side, Ireland will not make you great.

Yes, win against SL is a good one. I am not doubting that one bit.

But the real test will be series abroad (Not in UAE as Home) against Australia/South Africa/England and India. If you think pointing that out makes me hater. Then I am a Misbah hater.

Well, then we have a problem. You will have to deny him credit till 2013, that's when we tour SA.

[rhussain33]

This comming from a fawad alam fan, the guy who can't even hit a four. He was he reason why we lost the south Africa series in UAE on batting pitches. Enuff said

What on earth has Fawad Alam got to do with this thread ?? and the fact that hes a better strike rotater then Misbah King of Tuk Tuk hands down?

Correction the series was lost due to Fawad, Moyo and Younis all failing with single digits chasing 317 in the decider.and also because Shoaib Akhtar went for 11 runs an over and that Hashim Amla and Duminy outbatted the Pakistanis.

And correction Fawad has hit 62 fours and 9 sixes in his international career.

Enuff said, keep the thread related to Misbah.. things are going good with him as captain, let them keep going,

[Fireworks11]

If only we had a tour to Aus/eng/SA coming up. Misbah with this team would put up a good challenge.

[shahrukh619]

we lost cause of AKhtar :)) , then we lost the MOhali game cause og GUL :))

[Ryankhan]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

totally agree with you.....Misbah mostly has captain the test side on DUBAI flat tracks where its batsmen paradise. I would love to see him lead his side on AUS surface and SA and ENG and over there win the test match and series, now that would be huge boost and all of uss will start respecting his captaincy abilities aswell then.

as of now, he is very defensive kinda captain.. he gave away a few test matches where we could easily had won it but he chose to draw it.

[Superman1]

Misbah the TUK TUK But Tiger. :p

[Riff]

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?

Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

So youre saying Afridi wasnt a good captain? :fawad

[Riff]

Sorry but someone who had a shaddy past can't be the best captain of Pak.

I agree that Misbah-Ul-Haq Khan Niazi is the best captain after Imran Khan Niazi

Both are cousin's btw, so that explains from where Misbah gets it:misbah

No, his shady past and his captaincy are two completely seperate issues.

[alberto]

misbah is the faisalabad warrior who has exceeded his own ambitions

[munda_khi]

No, his shady past and his captaincy are two completely seperate issues.

shady past of misbah ????

[lonex]

What the hell does that suppose to mean?

So without touring all the places I mentioned and winning there Misbah is a GREAT captain? Look beyond the Afridi name.

I am no Afridi fan.. still winning against Zim, NZ and Sirilanka does not prove anything. He is yet to be tested against top sides in tough conditions.

[Markhor]

Best thing is that the captaincy hasn't affected his performance with the bat at all, infact he's been even better with the added responsibility, he does accelerate whenever necessary too despite what the kiddy brigade say who cannot get over Mohali.

He has been a calm head despite the off-the-field dramas with Ijaz Butt/Shahid Afridi row, and the spot-fixing trial, the team have been totally unaffected and are genuinely playing like a unit now, contrary to the claims we heard over and over again during the World Cup that there was unity in the dressing room, but was disproved as the reports in the media surfaced where key players had some grumblings.

His sensible and mature approach has also set a good example to the younger players in the team and has really brought the best out of them.

[cricmylife]

I'd like Misbah to go in Misbah shell for 10 overs now!

[shahrukh619]

his real test haven't started yet and he is best captain ? :zaka

Has he took the team to Australia/England/South Africa and India yet?Once he does that and wins some really demanding series till then he is only a good captain.

But he must win this series against Sri Lanka. One win won't count for much if we end conceding the series in the next couple of matches.
Than we can start praising Misbah.

Top post sir :bow:

plz post more .. your runs are very few :))


errr ... Misbah has done a decent job. He hasn't been tested too much. After he captains against England, Australia and South Africa, we can really judge him. As of now, he is only good.

I am no Afridi fan.. still winning against Zim, NZ and Sirilanka does not prove anything. He is yet to be tested against top sides in tough conditions.
Misbah just lead his team in winning a game in 3 days against World's no.1 Test team on a Flat Track

So yeah, has Misbah proved himself as a good captain to you guys by beating England? or are there any more excuses?

[violet_may]

BBC, you can write ten more theses on Misbah if you want until the next Test match. Permission granted. :misbah

[BoomBoomCricket]

BBC, you can write ten more theses on Misbah if you want until the next Test match. Permission granted. :misbah

sure :misbah