December 09, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 28, 1428

BANGALORE, Dec 8: Misbah-ul-Haq, who has ignited his Pakistan career in recent months, said he almost turned his back on the game at the age of 23 in favour of a business career.

Misbah studied for his MBA in business management and only started playing top-level cricket at 24.

“Before my first-class debut I was in two minds about which way to go but I chose cricket because of my love and passion for the game,” the 33-year-old Misbah said.

“Even after two years of choosing cricket though I thought I might have chosen wrong. But in 1999 my fortunes changed, I made my first-class debut and two years later was playing against New Zealand on my Test debut.

“Ever since I have not had any thoughts in my mind apart from playing cricket. I’m now really happy.”

Misbah was a fringe player for Pakistan three months ago but a successful Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa and the maiden Test century against India in Kolkata this week have boosted his credentials.

He scored 161 not out at the Eden Gardens as Pakistan replied to India’s intimidating total of 616 for six declared.

Misbah’s partnership of 207 with Kamran Akmal earned an honourable draw which means Pakistan can level the series if they win the third and final Test which started here on Saturday.

His rise has been so meteoric he has doubled his Test average in the first two matches of the series, after scoring 82 and 45 in Delhi, from 17 to 33.

“It’s been nice after such a long time, with all the failures since my debut in 2001, as it was always my dream to score runs in Test cricket,” he said. “I wasn’t playing consistently and it’s been a boost to play regularly of late.

“It’s a totally different story now. Before this series I was not sure of my future but now I am confident and feeling part of this team.”

Former Pakistan opener Ramiz Raja this week even tipped Misbah to eventually take over as skipper from Shoaib Malik.

The pressure was on Misbah after he came in for Inzamam-ul-Haq, who retired in October, especially as the former skipper had been part of a seemingly untouchable middle-order batting along with Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf.

He attributes his new-found success to the confidence given him by Malik, coach Geoff Lawson and a new panel of selectors since the failed World Cup campaign in the Caribbean in March.—Reuters