15 Facts about Misbah ul Haq: Pakistan's Mr. Dependable

Misbah ul Haq will forever be remembered as one of the most successful Test skippers of Pakistan. It took time for Misbah to make his presence felt at the international level. After making his Test debut in 2002 on the back of solid performances in the domestic cricket, he had to wait for a good five years before becoming a regular in the Pakistan team. He soon achieved consistent success with the bat and soon took up the leadership role. His calm demeanour and thinking brain eventually made one of the most respected personalities in the cricketing world.

1.Born on:

Misbah-ul-Haq Khan Niazi was born May 28, 1974, Mianwali, Punjab.

2. Grows up in cricketing wilderness:

Mianwali in Punjab is an agricultural district in the Punjab province of north Pakistan. “The culture there wasn’t such that you thought about playing for Pakistan. There was nothing like that in Mianwali. The cricket there isn’t the sort that you could say would produce great cricketers. Forget Pakistan, they hardly ever produced First-Class cricketers. Over there it is just for fun. You played because it was your passion,” Misbah stated to The Cricket Monthly.

3. Education:

Misbah has an MBA degree in HRM from the University of Management and Technology in Lahore, Punjab.

4. Leadership runs in the blood:

Misbah is related to the former Pakistan captain turned politician Imran Khan. Both men belong to the same Punjabi tribe, and perhaps are two of Pakistan’s best captains in its history.

5. A prolific run scorer:

Misbah has scored the most runs by a Pakistan captain in Tests, the second-most runs (behind his Imran Khan) by a Pakistan captain in ODIs and the most runs by a Pakistan captain in a single edition of World Cup.

6. Forever in the minds of Pakistan cricket fans:

Misbah came under limelight during the ICC World T20 2007 where he not only took his team to the finals but was also Pakistan’s leading run-scorer. In the finals against India, he nearly helped Pakistan beat India, but failed to deliver the knockout punch. His paddle scoop in the last over is one of the most famous cricketing scenes in both countries.

7. India – His favourite opposition:

Misbah averages 116 against the arch-rivals with two 100s and one 50. In World Cup 2015, though Pakistan ended up losing to India, Misbah was the lone hope for Pakistan as he top scored for them with a fine 76.

8. Most fifties without a century:

Misbah holds the record for being the highest run-getter in ODI cricket among players who haven’t scored a century in ODI. He played 162 ODIS and hit 42 half-centuries with the best score of 96*.

9. The one and only:

He is the only captain to whitewash a side out of Pakistan in a Test series. He led his side to a 3-0 win over England at UAE in 2011/12 series.

10. Back to back series win:

Misbah is one of two captains to win 4 consecutive Test series

11. Has the best batting average:

Misbah has the highest batting average by a Pakistani overall

12. Tuk Tuk:

Misbah has a funny nickname among cricket fans. Misbah has been forced to play anchor role on most occasions due to the fragile batting order. The pressure around him forces him to play defensive game which led to him being called as ‘tuk-tuk.’

13. Tuk-Tuk goes Bang Bang:

Misbah ul Haq stunned everyone after hit the fastest century and the fastest 50 in the history of cricket. His blazing knock came against England in 2014.

14. Most 50 plus partnership in a year:

Misbah also holds an impressive record if scoring the most number of fifties in a year. He had 15 half-centuries in the year 2013.

15. An unique achievement:

He is the first captain from sub-continent to beat South Africa in South Africa.