Misbah-ul-Haq proves his worth in the ODI series against West Indies
After the World Cup semi-final loss to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at Mohali, there were many who stressed on axing Misbah-ul-Haq from the squad. Despite the odds, Pakistan’s middle-order batsman has gone a long way to redeem himself with his match-winning performances in the
One Day International series against West Indies so far.
His slow style of batting was the reason many had turned against Misbah after the semi-final defeat, but the batsman seems more at home in the ongoing ODI series.
Pakistan’s batting is prone to collapsing and Misbah’s style, although criticized has helped the side in winning matches in the current series. Though he may not play a big inning, his ability to stay on the crease has helped his side out of a tight spot
on more than the one occasion.
Against India in the inaugural T20 World Championship final, Misbah was the one batsman who gave his side any hope of winning the fixture. The fact is that Misbah has taken responsibility for his side many a time and that means that if Pakistan loses, Misbah
is often the scapegoat.
In the ongoing ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, Misbah is proving his worth for the Pakistan side. Currently the squad’s highest run scorer in the series, Misbah has hit 178 runs in three matches. His average of 59.33 goes a long way in showing his consistency
with the bat.
While the ‘Man of the Match’ award went to opening batsman Muhammad Hafeez in the first ODI for his half century, it was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 achieve the target. While not as exciting as Hafeez’s
innings, it was far more crucial in keeping the game in reach for the visitors.
The second ODI belonged to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ahmed-Shehzad-c42359, who rightfully stole all the headlines for his mature and well-composed century. The veteran batsman guided the youngster through the innings, before ultimately lifting Pakistan to a victory himself, with an unbeaten
43-run knock. The fact that surprised everyone was that Misbah managed to maintain a strike rate of 100.00 during his innings.
It would not come as a surprise if reports of Misbah-ul-Haq’s fans, who could not cope after witnessing the match-winning innings, had to be rushed to hospital.
It was in third ODI in which the batsman proved his worth in the Pakistani squad. Men in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 did well to bowl West Indies out for a small total of 171 runs. Chasing the target, Pakistan were in deep trouble at one stage during the match.
After an early collapse from the top-order, Misbah-ul-Haq began the rebuilding process and steadied the ship for Pakistan. Linking up with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c94595 and Hammad Azam, the batsman led his side to a more stable position.
Misbah had a total of six batting partnerships in the match and his unbeaten 62-run knock, was the backbone of the Pakistan innings.
Misbah-ul-Haq has not lost his wicket in the three matches of the series so far. The Pakistan batsman seems at home in the ODI version of the game. One can expect more of the same from the backbone of the Pakistan innings in future. With the current form
the team is in, Pakistan should be able to continue their winning run and secure the series in style.
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