Roseau (Dominica) Karachi: Roseau, the sleepy capital of Dominica with an official population of less than 17,000, was witness to cricketing history on Sunday (local time) in more ways than one. Pakistan won an edge-of-the-seat thriller against hosts West Indies to clinch their first-ever Test series in the Caribbean but ironically on a day when their cricket was left poorer at the exit of two larger-than-life characters: Test captain Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan.
Roston Chase’s unbeaten 101, his second hundred of the series, proved in vain as the home side, set a target of 303 at Windsor Park in Dominica, slipped to 93 for six before the lower order almost rescued a dramatic draw.
“This was just incredible,” said a breathless Misbah after Shannon Gabriel dragged a wide delivery from Yasir Shah onto his stumps with just six balls left in the game to trigger Pakistan celebrations as the West Indies were dismissed for 202 to lose the series 2-1.
“There were so many things happening in that last session — dropped catches, appeals, no-ball dismissals — it looked for a while as if it wasn’t going to happen.
“I am thankful for myself, the team and all supporters of Pakistan cricket that we were able to pull it off.”
The cricketing world, however, woke up to the barrage of tributes to these two ambassadors of the game with the former Pakistan greats leading the way. “I congratulate Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan for leaving a great legacy behind them and retiring at their own terms,” Ramiz Raja told a TV channel from Dominica where he was part of the commentary panel.
“Younis remains a great sportsman, a great batsman and a great ambassador of the game. He was a selfless superstar,” Ramiz said about the career of Pakistan’s most successful batsman, who retired with 10,099 runs to his name — the most by any Pakistan player.
Former captain Rashid Latif said that Pakistan will always remember the services of Misbah and Younis and it won’t be easy for the team to fill the vacuum left after their retirement.
“Both have done great services for Pakistan cricket. Pakistan will miss them and the vacuum won’t be easily filled, I will personally miss the presence of Younis and Misbah in Pakistan team. Pakistan will always remember their services,” Rashid said in a video message.
Saqlain Mushtaq, former off-spinner and inventor of ‘doosra,’ said that entire nation is proud of the duo. “We are proud of them, they’re legends of Pakistan cricket and have led Pakistan to so many victories,” Saqlain said in a message.
“All my prayers and wishes for them, they have done a lot of good for Pakistan cricket. I pray for them and wish them all the best,” he added.
Former captain and allrounder Shahid Afridi also paid tribute to both the players and urged PCB to utilise the outgoing duo for improvement of domestic cricket.
“We always talk about improving domestic cricket, these two have been playing domestic cricket regularly and know inside-out the problems faced by our domestic cricketers,” Afridi said.
“PCB should leverage their experience for improving the domestic cricket structure,” Afridi added.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted on the pair’s retirement, terming them as “great players and great people.”
— With inputs from agencies
