PSL 2019: Misbah-ul-Haq proves age is just a number in fine Peshawar Zalmi debut

Waseem Ahmed 22:11 15/02/2019
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  • Misbah has still got it. Image - @thePSLt20/Twitter.

    Pakistan cricket fans were given a treat as Misbah-ul-Haq rolled back the clock once again in a stirring knock for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators at Dubai.

    Having led Islamabad United to two Pakistan Super League titles, the veteran switched to Peshawar Zalmi for the fourth edition.

    Prior to the tournament, there had been plenty of uncertainty over whether the former Pakistan skipper would extend his playing career for another season.

    In the end, not only did Misbah sign on for another year, he started off his campaign with a brilliant unbeaten knock of 49 (32) on his Zalmi debut.

    Here, we take a closer look at the 44-year-old’s innings against Quetta Gladiators.

    STATISTICS

    RUNS: 49

    BALLS FACES: 32

    BOUNDARIES: 4

    SIXES: 2

    STRIKE-RATE: 153.12

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Misbah arrived at the crease after the fall of Kamran Akmal’s wicket with Peshawar at 77-2. The veteran started in circumspect fashion but soon announced his intentions with a fine six off Fawad Ahmed.

    Sohaib Maqsood and Kieron Pollard fell at the other end but Misbah continued to take the initiative for Peshawar into the death overs. He forged a 52-run unbeaten stand with Liam Dawson to help Zalmi cross the 150-run barrier and was unfortunate to miss out on a well-deserved fifty after being able to take only a single off the last delivery of the innings.

    GOT RIGHT

    The veteran paced his innings to perfection on a wicket where it was becoming difficult to score runs as the ball continued to get older. He brought out his trademark hoicks against the spinners over mid-wicket to good effect, striking two huge sixes and helping Peshawar accelerate towards the death with two vital boundaries in the penultimate over.

    GOT WRONG

    Not much to fault in Misbah’s innings given he was the only Zalmi batsman to convert his promising start into a substantial innings. The only complaint against him is that he could have stepped on the gas much earlier in his innings.

    VERDICT – 8/10

    Islamabad United’s loss is Peshawar Zalmi’s gain as Misbah continues to rock it well into his 40s. In a Peshawar squad littered with hard-hitting batsmen, the right-hander’s experience at anchoring the innings could be the perfect antidote for the franchise.

    Plenty thought he was finished in this format when he was facing up to bowlers who were not even born when he made his first-class debut. But Misbah showed against Quetta that age is just a number.

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