Misbah-ul-Haq – The Man of Crisis Who Transformed Pakistan Cricket
Introduction
Misbah-ul-Haq, one of Pakistan’s most influential cricketers, is best known for his calm temperament, leadership skills, and ability to anchor innings in high-pressure situations. His contributions to
Pakistan cricket, both as a batsman and a captain, have left an everlasting impact. Leading Pakistan in all three formats, he played a crucial role in stabilizing the team during a time of crisis and transition.
Born on 28 May 1974, Misbah had a late start to his international career but quickly became one of the most dependable middle-order batsmen. He was often referred to as the "Man of Crisis" due to his ability to rescue Pakistan from difficult situations. His career is filled with iconic performances, including the fastest Test fifty (off 21 balls) and a record-equalling fastest Test century (off 56 balls).
Despite being known for his solid technique and defensive mindset, Misbah had the ability to switch gears instantly, smashing bowlers all over the park when needed. However, he also holds the unfortunate record of most ODI runs without scoring a century, proving his selfless nature and team-first approach.
After retiring from cricket, Misbah transitioned into coaching and administration, serving as Pakistan’s head coach and chief selector. His contributions to the game, both on and off the field, make him one of the most respected figures in Pakistan cricket history.
Misbah-ul-Haq – Quick Facts
| Attribute |
Details |
| Full Name |
Misbah-ul-Haq Khan Niazi |
| Born |
28 May 1974 (Age 50) |
| Birthplace |
Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Height |
6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Batting Style |
Right-handed |
| Bowling Style |
Right-arm leg break |
| Role |
Batsman |
| National Team |
Pakistan (2001–2017) |
| Test Captaincy Tenure |
2010–2017 |
| ODI Shirt Number |
22 |
Career Statistics
| Format |
Matches |
Runs |
Batting Avg |
100s/50s |
Top Score |
| Tests |
75 |
5,222 |
46.62 |
10/39 |
161* |
| ODIs |
162 |
5,122 |
43.40 |
0/42 |
96* |
| T20Is |
39 |
788 |
37.52 |
0/3 |
87* |
| First-Class |
242 |
17,139 |
48.69 |
43/101 |
284 |
Early Life and Domestic Career
Misbah-ul-Haq was born in Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan, into a Pashtun-origin family. His father was a school principal, which helped instill a sense of discipline and responsibility in him from an early age. Despite having a passion for cricket, his parents emphasized education first, leading him to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Faisalabad. Later, he pursued an MBA in Human Resource Management from the University of Management and Technology, Lahore.
Misbah started his first-class career relatively late, making his debut for Sargodha in 1998 at the age of 24. Despite his talent, he remained under the radar for several years before finally getting a national call-up in 2001.
He played for several domestic teams, including:
- Faisalabad Wolves
- Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL)
- Khan Research Laboratories
- Islamabad United (Pakistan Super League – PSL)
During the 2012-13 domestic season, Misbah led Faisalabad Wolves to victory in the Faysal Bank Super 8 T20 Cup, and under his captaincy, SNGPL won both the President’s Trophy and President’s Cup.
His consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him a contract in T20 leagues around the world, including the:
- Indian Premier League (IPL) – Royal Challengers Bangalore (2008)
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – St. Lucia Zouks (2013)
- Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) – Rangpur Riders (2015)
International Career
Test Cricket – Pakistan’s Crisis Manager
Misbah made his Test debut on 8 March 2001 against
New Zealand. However, he did not cement his place until 2007, when he was recalled to the team after an impressive performance in the
T20 World Cup.
His most iconic Test innings include:
161 vs India (2007, Bengaluru)* – A marathon knock in difficult conditions.
102 vs England (2010, Lord’s) – Marked the beginning of his legendary captaincy.
114 vs Australia (2014, Abu Dhabi) – A record-equalling fastest Test century.
101 vs England (2016, Lord’s) – Celebrated with iconic push-ups as a tribute to the Pakistan Army’s training camp.
Misbah led Pakistan to the No.1 ranking in Test cricket in 2016, making them the best Test team in the world for the first time since 1988.
ODI Career – The Backbone of Pakistan’s Middle Order
Although he was not known for aggressive stroke play, Misbah was Pakistan’s most consistent ODI batsman for nearly a decade.
| ODI Record |
Stats |
| Matches Played |
162 |
| Runs Scored |
5,122 |
| Batting Average |
43.40 |
| 100s/50s |
0/42 |
| Highest Score |
96* |
Despite scoring 42 fifties, he never reached a century in ODIs, making him the highest run-scorer in history without a century.
T20 Cricket – A Trailblazer for Pakistan
Misbah was instrumental in Pakistan’s 2007 ICC T20 World Cup campaign, where he almost won them the final against India. His iconic "scoop shot" attempt off Joginder Sharma remains one of the most talked-about moments in T20 history.
Led Pakistan to victory in the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup
Pakistan’s first T20I captain
Highest run-scorer for Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup
2015 Cricket World Cup – The Last Dance
Misbah was Pakistan’s captain in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he was the team’s highest run-scorer.
- Led Pakistan to the Quarter-Finals before losing to Australia
- Scored 350+ runs in the tournament
- Retired from ODIs after the World Cup
His last ODI innings was against
Australia on 20 March 2015, where he scored 34 runs before walking off the field as Pakistan’s most respected leader.
Misbah-ul-Haq’s Captaincy – The Savior of Pakistan Cricket
Misbah took over as captain in 2010, right after the spot-fixing scandal that saw Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and
Mohammad Amir banned. He transformed Pakistan’s team into a disciplined, competitive unit, guiding them through one of their darkest phases.
Led Pakistan to 26 Test victories – the most by any Pakistan captain
Became the first Pakistani to captain 50 Test matches
Won the 2012 Asia Cup
Pakistan’s most successful Test captain
His calm nature and tactical brilliance helped Pakistan become a respected force in world cricket.
Retirement and Coaching Career
Misbah retired from Test cricket on 14 May 2017, after securing Pakistan’s first-ever Test series win in the West Indies.
Post-retirement, he became:
Head Coach and Chief Selector of Pakistan (2019-2021)
Guided Pakistan to a Test series win over South Africa (2021)
Became a mentor and coach in PSL for Islamabad United
Even after retirement, Misbah remains one of the most respected figures in Pakistan cricket, inspiring young cricketers with his discipline, resilience, and leadership.
