Dreams of lifting another World Cup ended in a fiercely fought World Cup Quarter Final with Australia on a gloomy Friday Eve. A mediocre team with a mediocre batting line up equipped with second to third string bowling line. The meager hope of a miracle were dashed very early in WC when Team Green got drubbing from India and mercurial West Indies Side. As usual drums of criticism were beaten on Media as they all were hoping of a defeat, almost every Ex Player decided to settle score with PCB and in doing that came hard on Captain Calm. His selection decisions, his captaincy, his batting credentials even his intentions doubted. Misbah took the criticism, absorbed all the pressure, stood like a man against the unfair and uncalled for onslaught from Media, Ex players even politicians contributed.
Let's analyse what Misbah did wrong to deserve such wrath from every ex player? Captained a shattered, broken and tainted side, mediocre in talent, hardly any player except Misbah scoring consistently in last two year's. Ranked 4th in Test, Ranked third in ODI until Jolted by Ajmal and Hafeez ban, injuries to Irfan and Junaid, a slide began, losing series to Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand Home and Away. Captain who has won most test in history of Pakistan Test cricket, beating likes of Imran, Wasim, Javaid, Inzimam, not retired from test cricket, highly likely will enhance his record. Won ODI Series in SA, WI, India. Beat, two no.1 ranked test sides at their peak when they seemed invincible, whitewashed both England and Australia. Made fastest Test hundred against one of the best bowling attack in World Cricket.
Now let's dig even deep, let's bring more stats into play. Many former greats criticise Misbah for playing slow, with low strike rate. They forget to mention that Misbah plays in a mediocre side with not a single player averaging in 40's except Misbah whoes average in 43.44 only second best to Asian Bradman Zaheer Abbas while all great, Inzi, Yousaf, Saeed, Javaid averages were less than Misbah. Now let's talk about much hyped and criticised strike rate of Misbah which is 73. Now interestingly except Saeed Anwar whose strike rate is 80 All other greats have strike rate in mid 70's so why criticise Misbah ? Who mostly comes when Pakistan inning is stuttering and Misbah has to do a rescue Job?.
Just to remind all legends, Pakistan had the most talented side's in 90's after we won the 92 WC. But unfortunately couldn't win the WC in fact ousted in first round in 2003 and 2007. Criticising Misbah is like Pervaiz Mushraf who ruled for a decade, now sits on different channels lectures us how to govern the country, how to fight against War On Terror. Babar Awan gives us lectures on morality and honesty. Salman Butt has become a cricketing expert, sits on different channels. Rich elite sitting on SM in their lavish houses talk about tax reforms and how politicians looted this country while themselves hardly contributing a penny in tax. Murad Saeed with a fake degree lectured us how crook and shameless other politicians are. Ex Player's who couldn't even reach second round of WC during their era criticise current lot, remained within PCB for years, drew millions in pay cheques, now think Pakistan got the worst Cricket Board and infrastructure. There is a endless and shameless list.
Now come to this WC where Misbah made most runs, hit maximum 6's and 4's, made most 50's, did an incredible bowling captaincy which we hardly saw in last decade. Gave Australia run for their money in Quarter Finals, almost pulled off a miraculous victory if we could've held onto our catches, scared the wits out of Aussies, stunned their crowd, won laurels from cricketing world even with this below average team. Beat mighty South Africans in group match. Reached Quarter Finals when cricketing greats gave us no chance. Literally every cricketing great admiring the Captaincy and character shown by Misbah despite playing with a second string sides marred by injuries and ban on key player's. Declaring Pakistan games as best in this WC so far, admiring the flare Pakistan brought to this cricketing extravaganza. All are surprised and in awe the way Pakistan bounced back to qualify for Quarter Finals. While unfortunately back home the Team not getting the respect they deserve.
I have grown up watching wizard Wasim Akram, Missed my final exam to watch Imran Cornered Tigers winning the memorable SF against invincible New Zealand, Toe crushing reversing Yorkers of Younis, Express Shoaib scaring hell out of opposition batters, lazy elegance of Inzi, delightful cover drives of Yousaf, Saeed Anwar murdering spinners and lifting pacers of his hips .. I can talk on and on. Then on other spectrum I have seen gambling allegations against my favourite hero's, seen talent like Amir and Asif wasted, witnessed Shoaib and Asif banned in drug abuse just before 2007 WC, seen Pakistan cricket in shambles, hounded by world Media, my faith shattered, I guess, down the line my ego was hurt as well. Then came Captain Calm who resurrected my faith by some breathtaking cricketing performances. Yes he failed in T20 final but who brought us to that winning position? Yes I remember Mohali but what about other ten player's involved in that match? Did anybody ever questioned them? Misbah became the punching bag of our Ex player's and Public at large. But he always responded with his performances, winning some memorable series. Captained a side which did not play once at home in last 6 year's, absorbed all the criticism, not once showed dismay for legends of cricket, gave them the respect they deserve despite having a record which is better than most? In his post match Conference after losing QF, paid tribute to Mohammed Yousaf, his great critic, Mr. humble became a punching bag for whole Nation, newly rising SM didn't help Misbah as well. Labelled him 'Tuk Tuk' but Captain cool never responded, absorbed all the criticism and carried on to captain a mediocre side.
Thank you Misbah for restoring my shaken faith in Pakistan Cricket. Thank You Misbah for hiding these mediocre players behind your gutsy shadow, absorbing all the criticism, becoming a sponge for all the hatred of this Nation, satisfying the broken egos of Ex Player's who may not have been treated well by Cricketing authorities, treated you as a punching bag to get their revenge. Thank You Misbah for bringing back the respect and dignity to this great sport which this Nation so dearly love, they may not understand right now but they will remember you when you wouldn't be around . Thank You Misbah for leading these talented yet ordinary bunch of player's, getting best out of them, making them world beaters at time's, bringing best out of them at many occasions. Thank You Misbah, for becoming a role model for youngsters where many of the past greats failed. "Thank You Misbah I will remember your fielding at silly at the age of 41 when a youngsters didn't had courage to do that. Thank You Misbah I will remember you for your stunning Captaincy in WC which ignited a new life in down and out team, making Wahab, Irfan and Rahat bowl some memorable spell of bowling which were never seen in last decade. Thank You Misbah for restoring the honor of Pakistan Cricket. Thank You Misbah we owe you big time Man, knowing very well we never deserved an honourable man like you because words honesty, dignity, pride are alien to our society and rising Media.
