AFP/Adelaide
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq admitted not scoring a century will remain a lifelong regret as the curtain fell on his 162-match, one-day career following defeat in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Australia got the better of Pakistan by six wickets in Adelaide yesterday to qualify for the semi-finals where they will meet defending champions India in Sydney. Misbah fell for 34 in Pakistan’s below-par total of 213 which Australia chased down for the loss of four wickets with 16.1 overs to spare.
Misbah, who retired from one-dayers yesterday along with fellow veteran Shahid Afridi, said his failure to score a one-day hundred would have to remain a regret. “It was my wish (to score a one-day hundred) but it didn’t come about,” said Misbah, who has the most runs in all one-day cricket -- 5,122 in 162 matches—without scoring a hundred. “I put my whole effort into it but that didn’t come and it will be a disappointment but I enjoyed my career and I am satisfied.”
Misbah’s highest one-day score was 96 came against the West Indies at The Oval in the 2013 Champions Trophy. “It was an honour to represent my country,” said Misbah, who will continue to play Tests. “I enjoyed my cricket and gave everything to country.”
The 40-year-old said he had no intention of reconsidering his decision to quit one-day cricket. “I told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about my plans,” said Misbah. “Until and unless you put responsibility onto youngsters they will not improve and the time has come to do that, they need to take responsibility. I have played my innings. The PCB has a chance, these players have a chance to develop a team for the next World Cup and progress.”
Misbah said his message to the younger players is to work hard. “If you want to compete at international level you have to work hard and that is what I learnt from my seniors and greats like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. The kind of fighting spirit I saw in them, I followed and you have to follow that.”
Misbah singled out one-day victories in India (2012/13) and in South Africa (2013/2014) as his high points as skipper. “Victories are special but beating India in India was big, then winning in South Africa to become the first Pakistan team to win a series there, that was also special.”
