Majestic, magnificent, mind blowing – these are the words you may expect to associate with a record-breaking cricketer. Yet it is Misbah-ul-Haq, a most modest and mild-mannered man, who has become Pakistan’s most successful Test captain after registering his 15th victory against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.
Despite being nicknamed ‘tuk tuk’ for his slow play, he has surpassed legendary players Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, who both had 14 wins. Though Imran's reign includes their 1992 World Cup triumph.
Pakistan’s captaincy in a serious matter; it is a position that more often brings criticism and internal politics than appreciation for the leader.
They say the numbers don’t lie but they can certainly be a little deceptive if not assessed in depth. Imran’s winning ratio is worst among the trio at 29.16% despite leading Pakistan in 48 Tests, while Miandad (41.17%) and Misbah (46.87) are in a much more convincing league after leading Pakistan in 34 and 32 Tests respectively.
If Misbah’s winning ratio is compared to others who have captained Pakistan in a minimum of 20 Tests then Wasim Akram (48%) in fact has a better record with 12 wins from 25 matches. And if it is further dissected comparing the record with those who have in minimum 10 Tests, then Waqar Younis (58.82) has the highest ratio followed by Salim Malik (58.33).
Speaking to Sport360, former Pakistan maestro Miandad insists the records cannot be compared across generations.
“You just cannot compare the records made in two different eras, that is how I see it,” says Miandad. “It’s not just about my record or Imran or Misbah but in general you cannot compare Sunil Gavaskar with Sachin Tendulkar and so on.
“Honestly speaking, the quality of cricket has gone down over the years globally and you don’t find world-class players across teams. In our time, there were so many greats in numbers and cricket was much more challenging than what it is right now.”
Of Misbah’s 15 victories, nine have come in UAE — Pakistan’s home since 2009 — with two apiece in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, plus one each in the West Indies and New Zealand.
Misbah has never led Pakistan in Australia or England, while his figures in South Africa stand at 0-3 against the Proteas.
Miandad, who is Pakistan’s highest run-maker in the longest format of the game with 8832 to his name, added that Misbah’s real test would be to lead the team to victory in the “alien conditions” of England, Australia and South Africa.
“The real challenge as a player and as captain is to rise to the challenge of playing in Australia, England and South Africa because that is where your mettle is tested in alien conditions. Misbah has got 15 wins under his belt but the records can never be compared because this Pakistan side has not faced the hostile West Indies bowling of the 1980s and 90s,” he stated.
“It’s good that they are winning in sub-continent conditions emphatically but the 2015 World Cup will be the real challenge for Pakistan. Let’s see how these in-form batsmen perform there because I and Imran led in competitive eras and performed. But having said that, I feel Younis [Khan] and Misbah will be key for Pakistan and those who think the side can do well without them are living in a dreamland.”
The first things that spring to mind when Pakistani cricket is mentioned are inconsistency, flair and aggression – attributes uncommon in Misbah – aside from his 56-ball joint-fastest Test century against Australia. If the identity of Pakistani cricket is the North Pole then Misbah’s is the South, such is the difference between their basic characteristics.
When Misbah took the Pakistan captaincy in 2010 he was not sure of his own place in the side and the team had just lost three of its most talented players — Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – due to ‘spot-fixing’.
Yet he has been able to somehow weather the storm and sail through all each difficulty that has appeared on his journey so far.
One man who has played an important role in Misbah’s success is former Test player Mohsin Hasan Khan, both as chief selector and coach.
It was under Mohsin’s coaching tenure that six of Misbah’s victories came — between 2011 and 2012 – including a 3-0 whitewash of a then world No1 England side in the UAE, a 2-0 whitewash of Bangladesh in their own backyard and a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka in a three-match series in the UAE.
“I’m really happy for Misbah because he has achieved the record despite all controversies and pressures surrounding him during his tenure as captain,” Mohsin said. “We must not forget that Misbah has led the side with limited resources not having tearaway fast bowlers or world-class batsman, except Younis Khan.
“His purple patch came under my coaching thanks to the almighty because I had put across the message to everyone that three things would be key to our success – devotion, determination and dedication. I congratulate Misbah and all the players who have been around him and supported him through their performances.”
Mohsin further stressed that this record would not have been possible without the support of senior batsman Khan.
“Misbah owes a big credit to Younis because as a senior player, he has delivered with his bat and stood by the captain. For me, Younis is one of the best team men and players in history of Pakistan cricket – something he proved against Australia, leading the way with his bat,” Mohsin said.
Apart from Ahmed Shahzad, most of the current batting core was set in Mohsin’s era as he stuck with the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq during tough times as well.
Mohsin added: “Most of the batting unit is the one which we settled and it’s great to see them score runs in such a prolific manner. Azhar and Asad are future of Pakistan’s batting and they must be given confidence at all cost. I’ve also been seriously impressed by wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shahzad who will be an asset for Pakistan in years to come.”
Imran and Miandad both registered two wins against England as the touring side, while Misbah has never played in England, let alone as captain. As far as victories in Australia are concerned, Imran did not have one in five attempts and Miandad claimed one win from three matches while Misbah has again never led in Australia.
“Both Imran and Miandad led Pakistan when world-class players fought in a competitive environment and cricket was much more difficult than what it is right now. Today there are better playing conditions, more advanced cricket gears, batsmen friendly laws etc. So, victories achieved by those stalwarts are of great significance and cannot be judged along with Misbah’s,” Mohsin opined.
There will be plenty of ifs and buts whenever players both past and present and critics are asked about the finest Pakistani captain, but for those who question Misbah’s credentials, particularly regarding the era he has played in, it is worth considering that while Imran and Miandad played against more world-class players, they could also call on more among their team-mates. Misbah may be playing in a less competitive era but that also means he has a lower calibre of player around him in the dressing room.
The debate is certain to rage on but it appears as if the numbers, and therefore the history books, will eventually favour Misbah – the man with the Midas touch.
