KARACHI: A host of former and current Pakistan cricketers paid glowing tribute to national Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who celebrates his 42nd birthday on Saturday.

Misbah, preparing to lead Pakistan on a daunting four-Test tour England starting next month, has been one of the fittest individuals among the present crop of national cricketers.

Having made his debut against New Zealand at Auckland in March 2001, it took him a while to emerge as an international batsman. Since taking over the captaincy in November 2010, Misbah — born on May 28, 1974 in Mianwali — has missed one just out of 43 Tests played by Pakistan and that because of ICC ban for slow over-rate during the tour of Sri Lanka in 2012. His greatest feat is becoming nation’s most successful Test captain with 20 victories.

Ex-Pakistan captain and now team manager Intikhab Alam told Dawn on Friday that very few sportsmen could match Misbah for durability.

“Having spent a great deal of time with Misbah over the years in the national team, I can safely say that he is the ultimate professional. He doesn’t come across a man who gives up easily. The hunger for cricket is insatiable, which is why has been performing very well even at this stage of his life,” Intikhab said from Lahore.

Former Test batsman Basit Ali, who is head coach of domestic team SNGPL, described Misbah as one of thorough gentlemen to represent the country.

“Just imagine where Pakistan stood when the spot-fixing controversy tarnished the country’s image? But Misbah not only restored our pride, but also worked diligently to put Pakistan among the top-ranked Test sides,” Basit, who has been named head coach of Pakistan ‘A’ squad to England, said.

“Having spent a lot of time with Misbah, I have yet to come across a man with such tremendous passion for the game despite having limited skills as a batsman. Misbah’s calm presence has been the hallmark of his captaincy.

“What Misbah has achieved as a cricketer just like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Younis Khan is due to the prayers of his mother who is her son’s biggest fan. She has been a source of inspiration for him,” Basit added.

Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu, who as the chief selector in 2007 recalled Misbah, who made his first-class debut in 1998-99, after a four-year hiatus from international cricket, praised him for serving Pakistan cricket with distinction.

“He was always a consistent performer at the domestic level and that merited recognition from the selectors. Our [selection] committee took a lot of flak when we preferred Misbah to [Mohammad Yousuf] for the inaugural World T20 in South Africa,” Sallu reminisced.

“And Misbah proved us right by emerging as one of the star players of the tournament. Since then he has gone from strength to strength to become a fine player respected by all.”

Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali, who is also Test vice-captain, credited his success in international cricket to Misbah and regarded him as his role model.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Misbah is a true legend of Pakistan cricket. Players like me and Asad Shafiq count ourselves very fortunate that we are part of a group that has Misbah as our leader and mentor,” Azhar observed.

“We should be grateful to Misbah for being the torchbearer for younger players.”

Team-mate Asad echoed Azhar’s words before adding: “I owe Misbah a huge debut for guiding me throughout my career. He has always been on hand to offer advice and get the best out of me as a player.”

Misbah will become the first Test cricketer since ex-England spinner John Emburey in 1995 to play beyond his 42nd birthday when he takes the field at Lord’s on July 14.

In the process, he is set to become just the third Pakistan cricketer to play at the international level beyond the age of 42 since Miran Bakhsh appeared in his final Test at the age of 47, in 1955.

These days, Misbah is not committing himself further than coming fixtures.

In a recent interview, he said: “If I manage to play the England series then I should also play the upcoming West Indies, New Zealand and Australia series as well mainly because there are close gaps between all these series.

“Although I am certain about my will of playing all the series it will also be subject to my form and fitness as if it goes down then I will walk away rather than being a burden on the team because in my view, a player should retire on a high. If he retires on a high he will leave cricket with respect.”

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016