Former Pakistani greats say that time has come for Misbah-ul-Haq to call it quits

Following Pakistan’s 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia, former Pakistan greats on Saturday urged Misbah-ul-Haq to hang up his boots on an illustrious career. The former greats also blamed his poor batting and uninspired captaincy for the reason behind the debacle in Australia. Misbah who is currently the oldest international cricketer around capped off a forgettable series against the Aussies scoring a mere 76 in the 3 match series. The loss in the final Test also meant this was for the 4th consecutive time Pakistan was whitewashed 3-0 in Australia since 1999.

Following the loss, Misbah said he will take some time to decide on his fate- a totally opposite reaction to the one after the 2nd Test that he would quit after the series. Misbah has led his nation to unprecedented heights and has handled his troops very well following the spot-fixing debacle in 2010. He has led Pakistan in 53 Tests, winning 24, losing 18 and drawing 11 of them. He also led them to the numero uno status in test cricket but could stay there for only a brief period.

Former Pakistan captain and a current member of the commentary panel Ramiz Raja felt that the now has come for Misbah to call it quits from international cricket. “I think Misbah’s time is up,” he was quoted as saying by the AFP. “Every sportsman goes through this phase and captain Misbah has offered enough so it’s time to move on.

“I think a captain can only give his best for five years — a period where he gives his maximum — and then his flow chart goes down.

“After that opponent knows about his strategies and Misbah has spent that in a glorious way. He has played his innings well to become Pakistan’s most successful skipper,” he added. Raza was also bemused with the tactics Misbah employed in the last Test and said he failed to inspire the team as a leader and his consistent failures with the bat didn’t help their cause either. “I think Misbah was let down by his bowling and his field placings were not accurate either,” he said. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah picked a handful of 8 wickets throughout the series but conceded a world record 672 runs- the most by a bowler in a 3 match Test series.

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Raja’s words were echoed by former legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram. “It’s not my call but perhaps if I was in his place I would have quit at this point, having achieved so much,” he told AFP.

“When I lost 3-0 in Australia in 1999 I was replaced as captain despite the fact we fought hard in the first two Tests — but a defeat has such consequences,” he added. Wasim also added that he felt that Younis was also nearing his end but has somehow managed to prolong his career by scoring an unbeaten 175 in the Sydney Test.

“Before the third Test I was of the opinion that Younis should also go but he batted well and can play for some more time,” Akram concluded.