Reports: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq nearly misses flight to Sri Lanka after team leaves to airport without him

Misbah-ul-Haq at the press conference in Karachi

According to local press in the country, the Pakistan cricket team arrived at the Karachi airport to catch their flight to Sri Lanka without the presence of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Misbah was apparently at a press conference at a hotel in Karachi when the rest of the players left for the airport in the team bus without noticing the absence of the middle-order batsman.

The team management is being held responsible by some for this episode, as it is their responsibility to keep a check on such details. On the other hand, critics of Misbah blame his lazy attitude for the confusion.

Luckily for everyone involved, the Pakistan captain reached the airport in time to catch the flight to Galle.

The 40-year-old, despite being in the twilight of his career, has been the side’s most consistent performer with the bat in recent times. In the latest ICC rankings released earlier this week, he was ranked 7th in the world, ahead of the likes of Michael Clarke and Virat Kohli.

Pakistan are in Sri Lanka to play a 2-Test and 3-ODI series against the hosts. The first Test begins on August 6 at Galle.