Tag: Misbah-ul-Haq

Former Pakistan captain and head coach Misbah-Ul-Haq named his top two teams for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to run from June 1 to 29 in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.

The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup will commence at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas with the co-host USA taking on neighbours Canada in the curtain-raiser later today.

Meanwhile, legendary batter Misbah, who was part of the Pakistan side that won the prestigious title in 2009, termed Australia as the hot favourites to win the upcoming mega event, highlighting how they excelled in the Asian conditions in last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with just one spinner at their arsenal.

“The safest bet I think would be Australia. They know how to win. Whatever may be the condition. They come to Asia and win by playing with just one spinner. You can’t write off Australia from any World Cup,” Misbah said on Star Sports.

“The second team is very difficult. But we have to live in Pakistan, so I’m backing them as the top second team,” he added.

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Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Ireland, Canada and co-host USA.

The Green Shirts will start their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a blockbuster clash on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The 2009 champions will then take on Canada on June 11 before locking horns with Ireland in their last group-stage fixture on June 16.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad

Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup schedule

June 6: Pakistan vs USA, Dallas
June 9: Pakistan vs India, New York
June 11: Pakistan vs Canada, New York
June 16: Pakistan vs Ireland, Lauderhill

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq believes Amir’s experience will be crucial in T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has expressed his support for pace bowler Mohammad Amir, stating that his experience will be crucial for the Green Shirts in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, beginning on 1 June.

Amir made his return to international cricket last month during the home T20I series against New Zealand after taking back his retirement.

The left-arm pacer has taken four wickets in five matches during New Zealand and recently concluded Ireland series.

Misbah-Ul-Haq acknowledged that Amir may not be as effective as he once was but emphasised his potential to contribute to Pakistan with his experience.

“Last time back in 2017 in the Champions Trophy, there is quite a difference between that Amir and today’s Amir. Back then, there was more pace, more swing, more zip in his bowling. But now these factors might have been slightly reduced, but there is an advantage. He has huge experience,” Misbah-ul-Haq said while speaking during the Star Sports Press Room.

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The former captain spoke highly of the fast bowler’s skill in handling pressure and bowling in the final overs. He emphasized that Amir has demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure matches, especially against India.

“And his experience as a death bowler, how to bowl under pressure and use variations. These factors will be a crucial asset in Amir’s forte this time.

“He might not be that effective with the new ball, but in the death, he will be crucial with his slower balls, aimed at outside the off stump.

“And lastly, comes the major factor of pressure handling. In big games, where you have previously faced big teams and won games, it is more for Amir while facing India.”

Notably, Amir was part of Pakistan sides that won the T20 World Cup in 2009 under Younis Khan and Champions Trophy in 2017 under Sarfaraz Ahmed.

READ: Babar Azam vows to keep momentum going against England

Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq recently opened up about the recent change in Pakistan’s T20I leadership, which saw Babar Azam replacing Shaheen Afridi as captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming home T20I series against New Zealand.

Misbah-ul-Haq expressed his concerns about the way the captaincy change was managed, describing it as an unpleasant process.

“The process of changing captain in Pakistan is extremely unpleasant and this affects the players and the team,” the former captain remarked while talking to media in Lahore.

The former head coach emphasized that Babar Azam was previously removed as captain in the wrong way, and now the same has happened with Shaheen Afridi.

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“Babar was removed from captaincy in the wrong manner and so was Shaheen Afridi. Both are our star players and my best wishes are with the team and I hope they perform well.”

For the unversed, Afridi succeeded Babar Azam as the T20I captain of the national team, following their dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

However, the left-arm pacer had a short tenure as captain, during which Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat to New Zealand in the only series under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has blamed the team selection by Peshawar Zalmi as well as tactical decision-making for the loss against Islamabad United during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

Peshawar Zalmi succumbed to a 29-run loss against Islamabad United after they managed only 167 while chasing 197.

Misbah-ul-Haq, during the A-Sports show ‘The Pavilion,’ opened up about the reasons for Peshawar Zalmi’s dismal performance.

“Peshawar Zalmi should blame themselves. They made errors, starting from the team selection,” said the former captain.

“They strengthened their bowling but chose to bowl first after winning the toss. If a team has added two bowlers then they should have batted first,” he further added.

"They should blame themselves…" @captainmisbahpk criticises #PeshawarZalmi's team selection and tactics.

Follow our WhatsApp channel: https://t.co/Elz4xCt9b2#ASportsHD #ThePavilion #HBLPSL9 #WasimAkram #MohammadHafeez #MisbahUlHaq #AzharAli #FakhreAlam #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/tcxIf9fv9k

— ASports (@asportstvpk) March 4, 2024

Misbah-ul-Haq also questioned the decision to drop top-order batter Haseebullah Khan and lower-order finisher Asif Ali.

“Dropping Haseebullah was surprising. And they should have played Asif Ali at number six as a proper finisher instead of Paul Walter,” Misbah stated.

For the unversed, Peshawar Zalmi had a horrible start to their chase as they lost both openers in the first over with only one run on the board.

Skipper Babar Azam got run out at the non-striker end, while Saim Ayub was caught in the slip by Salman Ali Agha.

Their batters failed to handle the pressure and soon found themselves slipped to 18-5 inside the power play.

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With 179 required off 86 balls and five wickets, Peshawar Zalmi appeared to get bundled out for a paltry total.

However, Aamir Jamal fought back with a one-sided 107-run partnership with Paul Walter, who scored only 29.

Jamal launched a controlled onslaught on Islamabad United bowlers, hitting shots across all sides of the park during his 87-run knock from 49 balls.

He smashed a total of 14 boundaries including six sixes.

However, Shadab Khan broke the partnership by removing Walter and castled Jamal in the next over to seal the deal for his side.

With 45 needed off two overs, Zalmi managed only 15 runs and suffered their third loss in the PSL 9.

READ: Shane Watson lauds Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership skills

LAHORE: Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has been appointed chief selector of the national men’s team for the second time.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday that Inzamam, who was recently appointed to the Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), has officially taken on the role of chief selector for the men’s team.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq has been appointed national men's chief selector. pic.twitter.com/TnPdQaoXvW

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 7, 2023

Inzamam-ul-Haq took over the position previously held by Haroon Rashid, who resigned last month. The former captain previously held the position from 2016 to 2019.

During his tenure, his selected team won the 2017 Champions Trophy under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed, while in the 2019 World Cup, they missed a spot in the semi-final due to the inferior net run rate.

Pakistan team’s director Mickey Arthur was the national head coach during Inzamam’s last tenure.

Inzamam-ul-Haq’s appointment came at a crucial time as his selection committee will be tasked to select squads for the Asia Cup, as well as the ODI World Cup later this year.

Prior to that, he will also be naming the squad that will be touring Sri Lanka for the series against Afghanistan, which will commence on August 22.

The PCB’s Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), led by Misbah-ul-Haq, suggested the former captain’s name to the PCB Management Committee chairman, Zaka Ashraf. The CTC comprises former captain Mohammad Hafeez as well.

The committee is supposed to provide recommendations on cricket-related matters, including, but not limited to the overall domestic structure, scheduling, playing conditions, the appointment of the national selection committees, the appointment of national team coaches, central and domestic contracts and plans for the development of umpires, referees and curators.

Additionally, they have the authority to invite other cricket specialists and are required to provide regular updates to the head of the PCB Management Committee.

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq to lead high-profile Cricket Technical Committee: PCB 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has constituted a high-profile Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), consisting former Pakistan captains Misbah-ul-Haq (head), Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. 

The CTC will provide recommendations on cricket-related matters, including, but not limited to the overall domestic structure, scheduling, playing conditions, appointment of the national selection committees, appointment of national team coaches, central and domestic contracts and plans for the development of umpires, referees and curators.

The CTC will have the powers to invite additional cricket experts and shall report to the head of the PCB Management Committee on a regular basis.

PCB Management Committee Chairperson Zaka Ashraf: “I am delighted to welcome Misbah-ul-Haq, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez on board for the betterment of cricket in our country. These three former captains possess great cricket knowledge and understand the demands of modern-day cricket.

“Domestic cricket structure is a pillar of any cricketing nation. We have to make it fool proof and its structure progressive. The presence of Misbah, Inzamam and Hafeez, three of Pakistan’s most experienced and decorated cricketers who rose through the domestic ranks, will help us in providing our cricketers the best system to thrive so that we can produce the best cricketers.”

Misbah-ul-Haq: “It is a great honour for me to be appointed as the head of this committee, which comprises well-respected individuals who have served Pakistan cricket for decades.

“This is a challenging assignment, but with the vast experience and knowledge that this committee possesses, I have no doubt whatsoever that we will be able to make a positive difference by providing recommendations that improve and enhance the state of the game from the grassroots till the very top.”

Acting Director – Domestic Cricket Operations, Junaid Zia, has been included as the ex-officio member of the CTC, and Usman Tasleem is the ex-officio and secretary.

About the CTC members:

Misbah-ul-Haq – Pakistan’s most successful Test captain with 26 wins in 56 matches. He led Pakistan to the number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings in August 2016. The right-handed batter played 75 Tests, 162 ODIs and 39 T20Is and scored 5,222, 5,122 and 788 runs in the three formats, respectively. He was the member of the Pakistan side that lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 under the captaincy of Younis Khan.

Inzamam-ul-Haq – Member of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1992 winning side, Inzamam captained Pakistan in different stints from 2001 till 2007. He made 11,739 ODI runs – the most for any batter from Pakistan – in 378 matches at an average of 39.52 and struck 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries. He scored 8,830 Test runs in 120 matches at an average of 49.60 and scored 25 centuries and 46 half-centuries. He played a solitary T20I match against England at Bristol in August 2006, leading Pakistan to a five-wicket win in their maiden appearance in the format.

Mohammad Hafeez – Scored 3,652 runs and took 53 wickets in 55 Tests, 6,614 and 139 in 218 ODIs and 2,514 and 61 in 119 T20Is. He holds the record for being the only third all-rounder in international cricket to score 1000-plus runs and take 30 or more wickets in a calendar year after Sanath Jayasuriya and Jacques Kallis. Under his captaincy, Pakistan played the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2012.

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Former Pakistan captain and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Friday, met the national women’s football team ahead of their Singapore tour for international friendlies.

Pakistan women’s football team, who will tour Singapore for two international friendlies, received motivation from the legendary cricketer.

In his meeting with the national footballers, Misbah-ul-Haq expressed his good wishes for the team.

Head coach Adeel Rizki presented Misbah with the jersey of the Pakistan football team.

Taking to Twitter, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) shared glimpses of Misbah-ul-Haq’s interaction with the national team.

“Former National Cricket Team Captain and Coach Misbah-ul-Haq, meets and motivates our players as they prepare to travel to Singapore,” wrote PFF.

Former National Cricket Team Captain and Coach Misbah-ul-Haq, meets and motivates our players as they prepare to travel to Singapore! 🇵🇰⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qrdYuZEcDj

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) July 14, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will take on Singapore in two international friendlies on July 15 and 18.

For the tour, the PFF received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Foreign office on Thursday but is still awaiting the players’ Visas.

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DOHA: Misbah-ul-Haq scored a fighting 73-run knock to recover Asia Lions to a reputable total before Sohail Tanvir-led bowling attack powered the side to a narrow nine-run victory over Indian Maharajas in the opening match of the Legend League Cricket Masters.

Opting to bat first, the Lions accumulated 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs at the back of an anchoring half-century by Misbah and Upul Tharanga’s gritty 40.

Earlier, the Lions were off to a poor start against the Maharajas as the side lost two wickets inside three overs for just 18 runs as Tillakaratne Dilshan (5) and Asghar Afghan (1) perished cheaply.

Following the slump, Misbah stitched an anchoring 108-run partnership for the third wicket with Tharanga and put the side into a commanding position before the latter perished in the 15th over.

The wicketkeeper batter scored a cautious 39-ball 40 and hit two sixes.

Misbah then put on another vital partnership for the Lions as he put on a brief 23-run stand with skipper Shahid Afridi, who scored a brisk eight-ball 12 before perishing in the 17th over.

The Maharajas then finally got rid of Misbah in the next over, who top-scored for the Lions with 73 off 50 deliveries, laced up with two boundaries and four sixes.

Parvinder Awana and Stuart Binny bagged two wickets each for the Maharajas while Irfan Pathan and Ashok Dinda made one scalp each.

Set to chase 166, the Maharajas fell nine runs short as the side could accumulate 156/8 despite Gautam Gambhir’s fifty.

The skipper top-scored for his side in the run chase with a 39-ball 54 but received no significant support from the other end and thus the Maharajas eventually fell short.

Besides Gambhir, Murali Vijay (25) and Mohammad Kaif (23) remained the other notable run-getters while the rest failed to deliver in the run chase.

Left-arm pacer Tanvir led the bowling attack for the Lions with 3/27 while skipper Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Thisara Perera, Dilshan and Isuru Udana picked up a wicket each.

READ: Rossouw’s record ton sinks Zalmi as Sultans storm into playoff

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq commented on his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli’s recent slump in international cricket and claimed he is overdoing his dominating approach.

Misbah, speaking on the ICA Sports YouTube channel opined regarding the rough patch of India’s top batter Kohli and claimed that the latter always tries to dominate the bowlers as there is an ego and pride and is overdoing it.

“He is trying to dominate the bowlers as there’s an ego and pride. But somewhere he is overdoing it. He is playing more and more and the pressure is mounting on him,” claimed Misbah.

The former captain also shared his opinion on Kohli’s weakness of chasing the outside off deliveries and termed it a technical issue and mental illness.

“Virat Kohli looks to chase outside-off deliveries a lot and has been dismissed in that manner multiple times. We can see the technical issues, but the reason why he is doing that is because of mental issues,” Misbah opined.

It is pertinent to mention here that Kohli had reached the milestone of 70 international centuries and has batted more than 100 innings without scoring a century in more than two years. He scored his last century against Bangladesh in November 2019.

READ: ‘Don’t know why Sarfaraz is tolerating such attitude by PCB’ Tanvir Ahmed