Pakistan’s veteran batsman and Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, will make a clear announcement about his future plans in a few days, before the team’s departure for the tour of England.
The 42-year old retired from ODIs after the World Cup last year, but was urged to continue as captain in the longest format of the game. He last played a T20I in 2012.
“Misbah will officially announce it in press or would convey it to the board till Friday of till when he wants to continue playing international cricket,” a PCB official said.
Incidentally, Misbah hasn’t played a single Test in England but was appointed captain by the Pakistan Cricket Board following the infamous spot-fixing scandal that rocked the game on Pakistan’s tour to England in 2010.
Pakistan announced a 17-man squad for the Test series against England which will be Micky Arthur’s first assignment as the coach of their national side, replacing Waqar Younis at the helm.
Misbah has acknowledged that his team is wary of a potent English attack in conducive home conditions. "Facing the England pace attack will be the biggest challenge for Pakistan. We've been preparing for since the past month. Batsmen need to be well-disciplined against the England attack", he said.
He made his debut for the national side in 2001 but had to wait till 2007 to become a permanent fixture in the team. In 61 Tests, he has compiled close to 4500 runs at an average of 49, with nine centuries to his credit. His career took a turn for the better in 2010 when he was appointed the Test captain, and led the team to one of their greatest series wins against the No.1 ranked England in 2012. He has led the side in 42 Tests, and has been their most successful captain with 20 wins.
Things have changed since that tour to England in 2010, and Mohammad Amir, one of the players suspended for the offence has staged a remarkable comeback to the side and is expected to play his first Test at Lord’s on his path to redemption.
Although the Pakistani team has gone through major changes since 2010, with Azhar Ali being the only batsman from the current lot to have played the last series in England, Misbah is confident about the present line-up delivering the goods. “Our batting line is way more experienced than the side which toured England in 2010. Results will be better”, he added.
The first Test will be played at Lord’s from July 14 to July 18.
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