Iconic quotes by Pakistan stalwart Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq has arguably been the most decorated players to have taken the field for Pakistan in the current generation of cricketers. The stats speak volumes about his iconic stature in the Pakistan cricket circuit. He is the most successful captain of the Pakistan team in the history of Test cricket. Now, his illustrious career is coming to a halt as he featured in his last Test against the West Indies at Dominica.

For almost a decade, Misbah played the role of the batting mainstay in the national side. He largely played under the shadows of big names like Younis Khan in the early part of his career. Ever since taking over the reigns as the Pakistan skipper from Salman Butt back in 2010, the middle-order batsman has almost reinstated Pakistan’s claim in the world cricket.

He had a tough job to do. When he took over as the skipper of the national side, all was not well for the Pakistan cricket. The international cricket had secluded them in 2009 after the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus. Also, the team further suffered a severe blow when three players including the then captain Salman Butt were involved in spot fixing scandal in 2010.

Since then, Misbah has done the job of keeping the unit together and has been the pillar stone and the guiding factor for the Pakistani cricket. Despite never having the ‘home’ advantage in Test cricket, he ensured that the team only got better and better in the longest format of the game.

Last year in September, he led the team to a series-leveling effort in England. Not many teams have given such stiff competition to England in their home conditions. It was under his leadership that Pakistan rose to the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time.

Here are some of the iconic quotes by the Pakistani stalwart:

1. Misbah about his famous celebratory move ‘push ups’ after scoring a ton at the iconic Lord’s Cricket ground in London against England.

2. When age is just a number. Misbah reflects at what matters the most – it is the career and not the number.

3. Speaking about the PSL 2016 finals which his team, Islamabad United, ended up winning.

4. Misbah giving a firm response after being tagged ‘tuk-tuk’ for his sluggish approach in Test cricket.