Waqar Younis praises centurion Misbah-ul-Haq

Waqar was all praise for Misbah who scored a century on day one of the second Test against England

Pakistan’s head coach Waqar Younis praised Misbah-ul-Haq who scored a well made century in the second Test against England, despite fall of wickets at the other end, reported IBNlive.

The Pakistani captain scored 102 runs and picked his team out of the rut to take his side to 282-4 at the end of day’s play, before falling to Stuart Broad. This foundation laid by him helped his side to get to 378 after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

At the age of 41, Misbah is currently the oldest cricketer playing at the International level. En route his hundred he also became the 13th oldest batsman to score a century over the age of 40.

Waqar went on to heap praise on the captain saying that his game has been improving with his age and that it was his determination to carry on at this age that was paying dividends.

"That's what we have been saying for the last three years now. I guess it's his determination, he wants to carry on playing and I don't think age is a barrier so if you are fit and still manage the modern ways of cricket, then why not?" Waqar said.

Waqar who played alongside Misbah when the latter made his way into the team in 2001 said that this century was a highly special knock and was a captain’s innings.

"I think the knock he played today was a very good knock and it was a captain's knock and whenever wickets fell he was the most responsible," he said.

Misbah put up a 93-run partnership along Younis Khan and a 104-run stand with Asad Shafiq to steady the Pakistani innings who went on to score 83. While on 87, Misbah hit Moeen Ali for two consecutive sixes and then took a double to reach his 9th Test century.

Waqar said that seeing Misbah accelerate while coming close to his century was nothing new and that is how he normally plays.

"I think Misbah has done a few times," said Waqar of Misbah's aggression while in the 90’s. "I don't really know but that is the way he plays. I think he believes in that that when you are nearer to an interval or close to end of the game people bring the fielders in and he is comfortable hitting over the top."

Misbah who is said to be considering retirement at the end of the series would like to end his career on a high and Waqar also expected him to do so.

"He has said before this series, you never know that, this might be his last series so he wants to make the most of it, we don't know what he wants to do but, of course, the way he is batting Pakistan need him," the former Pakistani bowler said.

On the days play, Waqar said that his side faced some early hiccups but did well to come back and that Misbah responded well as wickets on the other side. "I think we had a good day although we had hiccups early on, but it was good the way Misbah handled things. He accelerated the innings when needed and when it was needed to control he did that."

The first Test match which saw England captain Alastair Cook score a double century ended in a draw last week.