Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has just one wish before he walks away from the game: play a Test in Pakistan.
The 41-year-old Misbah, who has only played five of his 58 Tests for Pakistan at home, was overrun with emotion when Zimbabwe became the first full member nation to visit the country after the deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009. But he could only see the action from the sidelines, having retired from ODIs after the 2015 World Cup.
So days after another Pakistan veteran Younis Khan laid out his future plans, the usually understated Misbah too has opened about how he would like to end his career with the team.
“I am really anxiously waiting for Test cricket in Pakistan. Nothing better than that, if you play in front of your home crowd and at your home ground. So I'm really hoping that before I’ve got to retire ... really wish to play in Pakistan,” Misbah told Sports360 in an interview.
Zimbabwe played three ODIs and two T20s on their historic visit to Pakistan but hosting a full Test series in the country remains an unlikely prospect for the national board in the foreseeable future. But Misbah believes it is something that could materialise before he retires.
“It will be really a wish that could come true before I retire.”
Pakistan's upcoming Test engagements include a series against England, to be played in the UAE, and a potential date with India. There have been no indications that either series could be shifted to Pakistan.
Misbah, who has scored 4000 Test and 5122 ODIs runs for Pakistan, is also mulling the possibility of a career in television and coaching for when he calls it quits.
“Honestly speaking I’m just thinking about what to do next. I’ve got some different options. TV and coaching and I can play a little bit of cricket also, let’s see. I mean the only thing that matters is you retire because you want to give more time to your family.
“So I would love to do something which I can just stay with my family in one place.”
Misbah, who has been given the title of ‘Tuk Tuk’ by some local fans and experts for his cautious approach to batting, wants to continue to feature in T20 fixtures at home and in foreign leagues after his international career.
To the surprise of many, T20 cricket is something Misbah is very natural at.
“I revived my career in 2007 T20 World Cup. So it’s always good to be in shorter formats because you go there and play with a bit of independence. I’m enjoying my cricket and maybe I’m going to play, for a year or a couple of years, only T20 cricket after Test cricket.”
