Misbah ul Haq - not a match winning player - Part 1 - Opinion
Pushing ones into twos and converting twos into threes when it really is required, and playing an innings which combines substance with flare, cannot be associated with Misbah ul Haq of Pakistan. The captain of the team, who hails from Mianwali, became an
integral part of the side after he was fast tracked in line of consistent performances being put in the domestic circuit. The year of 2007 was one of the most prolific in Misbah’s career, as his http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 earmarked him as a future
prospect for Pakistan. His ability to clear the boundary with ease in that tournament and his tendency to remain calm under pressure made him a force in the shortest format of the game. Sadly, in recent times he has not lived up to that reputation.
There is no denying the fact that Misbah had won many hearts in his early days by performing when all others faltered around him. However, he has also lacked the ability to win games for Pakistan from difficult situations. The final of the ICC World T20
in South Africa, against arch rivals http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, saw Pakistan fall agonizingly short of a modest total, despite Misbah’s heroics. He wasn’t the captain back then, yet his mature and level headed approach in that game and in the group stage encounters, drew a lot
of praise from various circles. His reputation slowly and steadily permeated into the longest format of the game, as he went about resurrecting a crippled outfit, which was marred by spot fixing allegations and poor performances on the field.
As a captain, numerous match winning accolades have come Misbah’s way in the Test arena. This fact stands in stark contrast to his ability to win games for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the ODI format. A career which began with so much promise, has weathered off into the
distance. His reputation as a cool and calm cricket with a penchant for big hitting when it was required became a gross exaggeration of his abilities according to many of his fans, who have witnessed him fail. For Misbah, the ODI game revolves around two modes.
It could be blocking with assurance or resorting to clearing the rope. The days seem to have gone where his high bat lift and thunderous hitting managed to ignite stands all around the world. Clearing the rope nowadays borders on the preposterous for him,
and the sad reality is that Misbah Ul Haq has lost more games for Pakistan than any other batsman.
Some of his poor shows dealt a graver blow on Pakistan than others. One can think of the Mohali semi final against arch rivals India in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. That match may have been tainted with match fixing allegations, but it also singled out Misbah
ul Haq’s innings as a key factor which lead to a Pakistani defeat.
After a wonderful start by the openers, Pakistan needed someone to keep the momentum going and play an innings of substance. With just 261 to chase down, the stage was set for a historic moment in Pakistan cricket. After a few wickets fell at crucial stages,
Misbah’s inability to rotate the strike and pick up singles became a matter of shock for thousands of fans across the border. When the run-rate ran out of proportion, Misbah then resorted to hitting big sixes, which eventually became a little too late for
his side. The result was an utter embarrassment for Pakistan and paralyzed the country to the very core. Prior to this encounter, Pakistan played the best cricket in the tournament. Dropped catches and bowlers such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604 having an off day might have
been crucial turning points, but with the bat, Misbah ul Haq was certainly worthy of blame.
Continued in Part 2...
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