Misbah-ul-Haq's tear-jerking farewell speech

Pakistan won their first Test series on the Caribbean soil at Roseau, Dominica on Sunday. It was more than just a series win for Pakistan, as two Pakistani legends were playing in national colours for the last time. It was Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan‘s last international match. It was heading towards a draw due to unshakable resilience from Roston Chase. But Shannon Gabriel had a mad rush of blood before the last ball of penultimate mandatory over. He went for a big heave and gifted his wicket to Yasir Shah.

Joy knew no bounds for Shah, who went running towards his departing captain. Misbah and Younis could not have asked for a better finish to their international careers. Misbah then gave a farewell speech, which made the Pakistani supporters bow down to him for his contribution to Pakistan cricket. Misbah is their most successful Test captain. He surpassed Imran Khan who had 13 wins under his name.

Farewell Speech

In his farewell speech, he said, “I would like to thank Almightly Allah, whatever I had, whatever success I got throughout my career, to end like that, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Then I would like to thank my family: my mother, my sisters, and especially to my wife Uzma who supported me and was always there. This series was only for her because I could have finished in Australia. She just convinced me and the fans that I have to come. And this team, too, most of these players [said], ‘You don’t have to end like that. You have to go winning and performing well.”

He acknowledged everybody who helped him in his career. “Thanks to everybody. My son is not here. He’s watching on TV, so I’m missing him. But obviously he has his exams and could not travel with us. A lot of others, too. Throughout my career, all the coaching staff, managers, trainers, doctors, and especially the colleagues, teammates, class fellows, teachers, who really supported me throughout my career, throughout my life and would be praying for me.

Thanks a lot. And fans all throughout the world. Not just Pakistan. Even in West Indies, all the guys they’ve been coming to me, wishing me all the best for the rest of life. But it’s life, everything except the Almighty Allah has to end, whether it’s bad or good.” said Misbah.

He admitted that it was the best possible finish to his international cricket career. “I’m happy with what I’ve had in this career. What a finish, I couldn’t have asked more than that. Really happy for this team, all the guys here, the way they gave me and Younis send-offs. And special thanks to Younis, very best of luck in his future life. It was a very fine journey with him in the middle, sharing a lot of partnerships, and I loved every moment of that. In the history books, my name will come with him and he’s a legend,” he said.

He’s a top performer for Pakistan: 34 centuries, 10,000 runs, broke a lot of records. “I had 15 hundred partnerships with him and that’s something special to me that my name will come with his and be remembered in history. It was the first ever [series] win for a Pakistan team in the West Indies, so everybody was so motivated and they were working hard for me and Younis. A lot of frustrations, no-ball wickets, a couple of chances here and there, but I think you enjoy wins like that much more than straightforward wins,” he added.

“I might have just forgotten names but whoever worked with me, whoever played with me, I enjoyed that and I think they have made a contribution in my life and career. Thank you all, thank you very much,” Misbah left every Pakistani supporter shedding tears as he concluded his farewell speech.

Misbah in his Test career holds the record for the joint fastest hundred in Tests (alongside Sir Vivian Richards) with his 56-ball hundred against Australia in 2014. He has played 75 Tests, 162 ODIs and 39 T20s for his country. Under his captaincy, Pakistan became number 1 Test side in Test Team Rankings for the first time in history, when they defeated England at The Oval, London in 2016.

Watch his farewell speech here