LAHORE: Former cricketers on Thursday paid glowing tributes to outgoing Misbah-ul-Haq for his commendable services to Pakistan cricket.
The highly-appreciative comments came after Misbah announced to quit Test cricket after the three-match series in the West Indies starting later this month.
Former captain and fast bowling icon Wasim Akram said if Misbah thinks it is the right time for him to retire then he should retire.
“A cricketer should have fitness and passion for playing. If now Misbah thinks it is the right time for him to give up international cricket then it is good,” Wasim said.
The left-arm pace bowling legend insisted Misbah should be given a proper send-off for his magnificent services to Pakistan cricket.
PCB to honour Test captain, says Shaharyar
“The whole nation should say him good bye in the best possible way. And we should all support the player who is given the captaincy of the Test side after Misbah,” he said.
Ex-Test fast bowler Sikander Bakht said no cricketer (in Pakistan) ever announced retirement from international cricket like Misbah did.
“I wish Misbah scores a century in every match of the Test series in the West Indies,” he said and hoped Misbah leaves the scene on a high note. “Misbah is a gentleman and we have never ever heard any disciplinary issues involving him.”
Former Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf said Misbah was a great player and should be accorded a proper farewell. “He has enormous achievements and deserves a good send-off,” Yousuf said.
While praising Misbah, leg-spin great Abdul Qadir said the Test reins should also be handed over to ODI and T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmed after end of the Test series in the West Indies.
“Sarfraz is a fighter and the team looks united under his captaincy. Making Sarfraz captain in all three formats will help the team avoid groupings,” Qadir said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said the PCB would honour Test captain Misbah at a reception to acknowledge his precious contribution for lifting Pakistan cricket.
“He is an outstanding captain and refined human being. He has immense contribution for the Pakistan team and our cricket; we will duly acknowledge this contribution by awarding him a medal and doing a lot more at a reception,” Shaharyar told reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium.
As national captain, Misbah brought good name for Pakistan with his decent conduct which was praised across the cricketing countries, the PCB chief added.
“His conduct with the team members, umpires, referees and team management has been exemplary. Everyone lauds him which has established his status as a good captain and human being,” Shaharyar stated.
He said though Pakistan were swept 0-3 in the Test series on their recent tour to Australia, the Australian cricket authorities wrote a letter to the PCB mentioning the good conduct of the Pakistan team maintained during the tour, which demonstrated Misbah’s leadership qualities.
“Another outstanding achievement of Misbah was to take the team to the number one ranking in Test cricket [last year] which will always be remembered in Pakistan cricket history,” emphasised Shaharyar.
“Misbah is a wise captain who knows and finishes his job with success, and has the ability to get the best out of his team-mates,” said Shaharyar.
The PCB chairman urged Pakistan’s upcoming cricketers to emulate Misbah as their role model in order to become good cricketers as well as refined human beings to serve the game with their talent in a professional and dignified manner.
