Sport | Cricket
Leading Pakistan is 'a dream come true'
Pakistan batsman Misbah-Ul-Haq made his international debut when he was aged 26 in 2001. But it was not until the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa that the middle order batsman really made his mark with Pakistan.
- By D Datta, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:53 July 10, 2008
Pakistan batsman Misbah-Ul-Haq made his international debut when he was aged 26 in 2001. But it was not until the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa that the middle order batsman really made his mark with Pakistan. Since then he was made vice-captain to Shoaib Malek. He has led the side once in a recent Asia Cup match against India, which Pakistan won. Misbah spoke to Gulf News about how it felt to lead his country for the first time.
Gulf News: You made your debut very late in your career and suddenly you became captain of Pakistan. How did that feel?
Misbah: I did not expect it at all. Leading Pakistan is a dream for every Pakistani cricketer. I am not an exception. I think I am very happy that all of a sudden the team management felt that I should lead the side. I know, I was the captain only for the India match.
Do you expect the team to ask you to be captain again?
Till today, Shoaib Malek is our captain and I am his deputy. Whenever he would not be able to take the field I may have to do that job again. But for me, I am happy that the team won in that important match against India.
Rameez Raja (former Pakistan captain and now a cricket commentator) felt that there was definitely a change in the body language of the Pakistan team in that game against India. What did you tell them?
Very simple. I told them please do not suffer from any kind of tension. We all knew that we had to win this match. I told them to enjoy each and every second. If any one wants to play against India, he has to swallow a bit extra pressure. You can counter them by being positive. They just tried to do that.
Wasim Akram said that you almost forced the selectors to take Nasir Jamshed in the first XI, who replaced Shoaib Malek. Why did you feel so strongly about picking him?
Jamshed is a terrific batsman. I saw him in the nets as well as in the domestic cricket where I found him absolutely a fearless character. I am sure he will win many more matches for Pakistan if we can provide him enough exposure in the international level. Please watch out our another young talent, Saeed Ajmal also. He is also an aggressive off spinner.
Pakistan won in the final against India at Dhaka. You won against the same opponent in another crucial match. What's the secret?
We are playing with an open mind against India. I think we are playing the best cricket in the recent times. Everybody wants to concentrate. This is a key factor for victory.
You chased a total of 308. What did you say to the team in the break?
I told them not to lose wickets. I think our two openers Salman Butt and Nasir Jamshed gave us a flying start. When chasing a big score, you need to have big partnership. Fortunately, we had that and then Younis Khan played a dream innings like the Dhaka final. My theory is very simple. Don't invite pressure while you are batting or bowling. I told my bowlers never mind if you give 10-12 runs in an over, but take wickets.
Ian Chappell (regarded as one of Australia's best captains) also praised your captaincy. How did it feel to be praised by such a top cricketer?
I hope we can continue winning. I am happy to know that a cricketer like Ian Chappell had praised me. You need to have good players. Then the captain's duty is to make a plan and motivate the team accordingly. Ajmal, our off spinner, really bowled well.
India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - all three teams are chasing 300-plus runs these days. How it is possible that sides are successfully chasing such big totals?
I don't know about the others, but Karachi wickets have helped us achieve this. We are trying to score 75 runs in the first ten overs and then follow run-a-ball theory with a cool mind.
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