Defiant Misbah responds to “jackal” remark

Published November 14, 2013
“I have no intentions of quitting.” -Photo by AFP
“I have no intentions of quitting.” -Photo by AFP

A defiant Misbah-ul-Haq has ruled out stepping down as Pakistan cricket captain despite the team's poor performance in recent times and strong criticism of his leadership.

Under him, Pakistan lost a test in Zimbabwe in September and were thumped 4-1 in the just-concluded one-day series in the United Arab Emirates.

Misbah salvaged some personal reputation by emerging as the leading scorer in one-day internationals this year with 1119 runs from 26 matches but many, including former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, felt his batting lacked aggression and that he was uninspiring as a leader.

“I have no intentions of quitting. I am doing well and as long as I am in form, I will continue to play for my country,” Misbah, 39, told Reuters.

“As far as captaincy is concerned, it is an honour to lead your country and in the end, the board takes a decision ... I have no issues with what they decide,” he said.

The right-hand batsman has a 73.39 strike rate in one day internationals but his critics believe it was not enough.

He insisted cricket was a team game and he alone could not be held responsible for recent debacles.

“Everyone has to contribute in cricket and one player cannot win you a match ... unfortunately our batting has struggled badly this year and it is something we need to work on,” Misbah said.

A senior member of the Pakistan cricket board recently said one should not expect the team to win when a pack of lions was led by a “jackal”.

“If standing firm under pressure out in the middle and scoring runs makes you a jackal then I am a jackal,” said Misbah.

Pakistan are due to tour South Africa this month to play three one dayers and two Twenty20 matches.

Their Australian coach Dav Whatmore has already confirmed he would not seek an extension of his two-year contract when it expires in February.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.