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Former Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday morning to rapturous fans waiting for him at the airport.
The cricketing great is returning after Pakistan's historic defeat of the West Indies in the Caribbean.
Showered by rose petals and welcomed with cheers, Misbah, accompanied by his wife, was greeted by family members, PCB officials and fans as he walked out of the arrival lounge.
Explore: Overwhelming love, praise for Misbah and Younis after Windies jinx broken
"It's an honour for me," Misbah expressed his gratitude to the cheering crowd.
"I am happy with my performance. Winning in the West Indies will be something I will always remember," the former test captain said as he spoke to journalists at the airport.
"The credit for this accomplishment goes to the Pakistan Cricket Board, the players' families, and the whole team," he added.
Pondering over his recent milestone, Misbah said, "We have accomplished a feat many teams across the world only dream of."
"These sort of victories will help bring fresh talent into the spotlight. It is crucial that we keep succeeding like this," the recently retired cricketer noted.
"I'm grateful to the nation for all their prayers and support."
Earlier this week, Pakistan won a thrilling third and final Test with six balls to spare to clinch a first series victory in the West Indies, giving a fitting farewell to farewell to the now-retired captain.
“This was just incredible,” Misbah said after Shannon Gabriel dragged a wide delivery from Yasir Shah onto his stumps with just six balls left in the game to trigger Pakistani celebrations as the West Indies were dismissed for 202 to lose the series 2-1.
“I am thankful for myself, the team and all supporters of Pakistan cricket that we were able to pull it off," Misbah said.
Politicians and fans took to twitter to pay their tributes to the national team after the historic win, posting messages of love and praise for Misbah.
'ThankYouMisbah' trended on social media as well as people were quick to remember the team's most successful test captain.
Pakistan Super League champions Peshawar Zalmi called it the 'end of an era'.
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On DawnNews
Comments (100) Closed
May 17, 2017 09:02am
Thank you dear for your great contribution in the game of cricket .............
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May 17, 2017 09:05am
Amazing sentiments expressed by Misbah thanking everyone who contributed to this journey. Unlike the 92 speech which was all about me, myself and I.
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May 17, 2017 09:07am
Well done team Pakistan.
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May 17, 2017 09:08am
We love you Misbah and Younis. Two Gentlemen like Tendulkar. An Indian fan of you both.
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May 17, 2017 09:15am
yes. Like won world cup for more than 2 times..
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May 17, 2017 09:15am
Misbah and younis are two talented players of pakistan. well done team pakistan.
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May 17, 2017 09:15am
yes. Like beat India in every world cup match played ever
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May 17, 2017 09:19am
*"We have accomplished a feat many teams across the world only dream of."*
This statement was unnecessary. India too just won a series against the West Indies in West Indies 2-0 just a few months ago.
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May 17, 2017 09:20am
Congratulations to Misbah and company but please don't compare him with Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan. Remember Pakistan has just beaten WI when they ranked at the bottom. When Hanif and Imran captained the Pakistani team, WI ranked at the top.
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May 17, 2017 09:33am
Really! Winning against this Windies side is really that big of an achievement ?
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May 17, 2017 09:33am
I have seen west indies team in 1985.....great difference with this weak team of west indies...any how good performance by Misbah as Captain
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May 17, 2017 09:42am
@raja hahahah if that sails your boat. Since 1947 Pakistan have beaten India more than India has beaten Pakistan. Secondly the world does not revolve around India that an achievement is to beat India. Thirdly he might have meant about the achievements given weakest Pakistan team ever, no home cricket, from second last to number 1 in test cricket. The statement has to be seen in a context. Chill man...
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May 17, 2017 09:46am
Well done Pakistan, Congratulations. West Indies team is not that team which consisted players like Vivin Richards,Michel Holding, Malcom Marshall, Andy Roberts, Kalicharan, Gomes, Holder, Gordon Griendge and today's players participating in IPL.
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May 17, 2017 09:47am
i am Indian and consider both Misbah and Yunus both heroes of Indian sub-continent for their sportsmanship. IPL or BCCI need to invite them to India and facilitate both of them.
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May 17, 2017 09:50am
Ask any West Indian of any era and they will always say that Pakistan has always been their toughest opponent in West Indies.
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May 17, 2017 09:57am
Beat wishes to Misbah and Younis from India. Low profile and high performance cricketers! Gentlemen you will be missed!
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May 17, 2017 10:01am
Sir
This West Indian team is the weakest in their history and yet they have managed to win 2 test matches against Misbah's Pakistan, one each in UAE and West Indies .
Instead of creating a storm in the tea cup Misbah should retire gracefully away from media spot light and ponder about his defensive mindset that has killed the attacking instinct of Pakistan cricket team.
Thanks
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May 17, 2017 10:04am
Bohot maza aa raha hai. We are proud of you :)
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May 17, 2017 10:05am
He is a gentleman, plays the gentleman's game as it should be played . That's was he is respected all over the world.
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May 17, 2017 10:17am
@Rahul Remember there was a time when it took India to take 20 years to win outside India, it started off with WI
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May 17, 2017 10:29am
Champion! Champion! Misbah is a Champion. Younis is a Champion. Champion! Champion!
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May 17, 2017 10:30am
Well done Pakistan.. the win could have been much greater as main player did not play the Matches due to IPL commitments in India..
still win is a win
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May 17, 2017 10:43am
Indian cricket team dreams of winning matches outside india. Our indian players are flukes...they are exposed whenever they play outside india. i m not being sarcastic
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May 17, 2017 10:45am
I must say we also must praise YK equally, I guess more than that because he did what Pakistan remember for ages because he is the only one who reaches the milestones of 10,000 runs.
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May 17, 2017 10:46am
@Rahul
Bro it was given the things happening in the nation and with lack of international cricket.
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May 17, 2017 10:48am
Can't figure out if its funny or sad? Is he really trying to compare the current West Indies to the yesteryear's?
There was a reason very few teams were successful in West Indies in the past and almost every team is successful these days. Misbah, please dial it down.
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May 17, 2017 10:48am
What "feat that teams across the world only dream of"?
This is too much.
This West Indian is the weakest in the world.
Misbah and the entire nation should thank God that the third test did not end up like the second test otherwise it would have been a humiliating deafeat for Pakistan team and a dream shattered for Misbah.
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May 17, 2017 10:53am
Salute to Misbah and Younis.
Two graceful greats.
Truly no other team has faced so many difficulties and risen to such heights against such circumstances.
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May 17, 2017 10:53am
Younis and Misbah is a world class player. Congratulation to both of you from India.
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May 17, 2017 10:58am
@Rahul He did not name any team but indians still cannot take it...
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May 17, 2017 11:09am
After winning against a 3rd grade WI team. Players like gayle, simmons, Narine, Badri, pollard all are playing in ipl. Even indian Ranji team can defeat that wi squad
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May 17, 2017 11:09am
Gritty performance by Pak team, kudos!
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May 17, 2017 11:13am
One thing we remember of Misbah even after 100 years from now is Sreesanth's cath off Misbah in ICC T20 WC, LOL :)
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May 17, 2017 11:15am
@Ahmed Bilal Sheikh *"Remember there was a time when it took India to take 20 years to win outside India, it started off with WI"*
Last year India whitewashed Australia in Australia in a T20 series 3-0. I agree it wasn't a test match but how many teams can say that. Especially an Indian team.
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May 17, 2017 11:17am
Great work Pakistan team. The important word here is "TEAM".
Play as a team and you will reach great heights.
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May 17, 2017 11:18am
@a *"Bro it was given the things happening in the nation and with lack of international cricket"*
That's a convenient excuse. Pakistan at least still plays cricket. South Africa was completely banned for 21 years (1971-1992) and yet as soon as they came back they managed to reach the semi final of that year's world cup.
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May 17, 2017 11:19am
@Akil Akhtar *"He did not name any team but indians still cannot take it"*
Cannot take what??? We're still the #1 test team. Remember that.
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May 17, 2017 11:22am
Misbah said, "We have accomplished a feat many teams across the world only dream of."
What has he achieved which others have not???
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May 17, 2017 11:34am
Misbah gets hero's welcome in Lahore: 'We have accomplished what teams across the world only dream of',yes at a time when the WI cricket is at its lowest ever.
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May 17, 2017 11:41am
The last time Australia and India met in TEST- (Mar 25-28) India won in Dharmsala India by 8 wickets.
The last time Australia and India met in ODI-(Jan 23) India won in SYDNEY India by 6 wickets
The last time Australia and India met in T20- (Jan 31st) India won in MELBOURNE. Australia
were whitewashed Now thats what other teams of the world dream of
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May 17, 2017 11:45am
@Rahul it's not all about India!
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May 17, 2017 11:48am
Every third date team beats WI these days...don't gloat over it...u had a good career, be humble and end it with that
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May 17, 2017 11:49am
@GAUR yes it's big for these boys as they are not capable to win against a good club team...
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May 17, 2017 11:52am
Hats Off to one of the most calm and dignified Pakistani cricketer
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May 17, 2017 12:05pm
Congratulations on beating a "B" team of West Indies. Imagine beating the WI of the 1980's.
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May 17, 2017 12:24pm
Misbah just jas 10 centuries to his name...zero ODI or T20 centuries....and this guy is the best batsman pakistan has produced....lol
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May 17, 2017 12:26pm
@Arif javed - *"yes it's big for these boys as they are not capable to win against a good club team"*
Well said!!!
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May 17, 2017 12:28pm
Again same old nonsense by some indians about ipl hit and miss players of wi who don't use to play test cricket like polard, narine, simons etc. Had they played all matches might have been ended in 3 days in favour of pak.
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May 17, 2017 12:34pm
His success is not just inspiration for youngsters. Even players in 30s who are yet to make a debut can think of making it big like him.
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May 17, 2017 12:39pm
Instead of celebrating a win over team that is currently at the bottom of the world ranking, we should instead be trying hard to catch and then successfully prosecute Mashal Khan's killers. I'm sure this is what the great Younas Khan would like to see happen, since Mashal also hailed from Mardan.
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May 17, 2017 12:45pm
@Rahul You should compare Cricket structure in India and Pakistan and the accompanying circumstances in which India and Pakistan play their Cricket to understand this statement.
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May 17, 2017 12:54pm
@Rahul If you look at that in the whole context it was actually about the whole journey not just this series. Just last year they were no. 1 after a really tough tour.
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May 17, 2017 01:09pm
It's simply impossible to stop praising this guy, he has done so much for our country.
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May 17, 2017 01:12pm
@Rahul Totally agree with you :)
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May 17, 2017 01:23pm
@GAUR Yes, that was a big achievement because Pakistan have never defeated West indies on their home ground.
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May 17, 2017 01:23pm
@Aqeel: For which Imran Khan has repeatedly apologised for!!
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May 17, 2017 01:26pm
@PK and you say you're Indian ? Did PCB facilitated Dravid or SRT who are much bigger players?
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May 17, 2017 01:29pm
@Aqeel Oh dear me, theres always one isnt there. My friend where on earth did 1992 come into this, ever? Misbah is a living legend no doubt. The guy has just arrived at an airport and is thanking everybody for his welcome. The great Khan gave his speech just after the winning moments and rightly said what he felt. He man managed, backed, morally supported players and was the think tank behind 1992 world cup. Go and ask the worlds greatest cricketers like Wasim Akram. Stop begrudging people for choice of words, and learn to praise their actions. Ugh
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May 17, 2017 01:31pm
@ Raja, remember Sharjah? When you lost all the matches every year and then stopped going altogether?I can see your frustration my mate.
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May 17, 2017 01:36pm
@Rahul India has won 4 series in West Indies (Last 3 in a row). For Pakistan it is their 1st. West Indies is no longer a strong team. So Misbah statement was totally uncalled for
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May 17, 2017 01:36pm
@Shahzaib we saw what 'original' WI didcto you in WC 2015. Remember 1-4 ?
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May 17, 2017 01:38pm
@Akil Akhtar yes, can't take someone gloating over victory against B team of 9th ranked test side.
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May 17, 2017 01:42pm
@mandy What about Australian tour at the beginning of the year, any comment. After losing your statement was completely opposite.
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May 17, 2017 01:43pm
Thank you Misbah and Younis for bringing so much pleasure to Pakistan cricket fans. Enjoy your retirement.
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May 17, 2017 01:46pm
What is he ecstatic about? India grilled West Indies on their tour. This is the WI of the present playing a second string team but even with a few good players playing in IPL they are not very competent in Test cricket. Just playing a B team and claiming this is one of the memorable is funny. It is actually not very good performance to let WI win a match and also drag a match till the last over to secure a win. Improvement needed.
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May 17, 2017 01:53pm
great player
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May 17, 2017 02:29pm
@PAMNANI - INDIA yes very true that team no one would beat, in fact if I remember India ran away back home from that team because they couldn't handle the pace.
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May 17, 2017 02:31pm
@raja youve got a problem. if you want to get into records go and have a look at the overall record and see how many time more Pakistan has beaten you I think you will find approximately Pakistan beats India 60% of the time.
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May 17, 2017 02:32pm
@Asif well said Indians gave up for reason of losing every time
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May 17, 2017 02:39pm
@Girish Narasimhaiah and we will forever remember JAVED MAINDAD hitting Chetan Sharma for a six off the last ball to win at sharjah, sweet dreams.
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May 17, 2017 02:40pm
Misbah is a legend. Love and respect from India. There is nothing we can't beat if we are together.
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May 17, 2017 02:57pm
All senior citizens playets should get retired and new fresh talent should be introduced in upcoming champions trophy for toughf fight between the two born rivals
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May 17, 2017 03:00pm
@Ghaznavi " Pakistan has beaten you I think you will find approximately Pakistan beats India 60% of the time." Yes Yes probably 65% but that was in the 80s. Today India beats Pakistan 95% of the time
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May 17, 2017 03:08pm
@Hyder Perhaps you can tell us who are the up and coming world class players that Misbah has retarded their talent. Fact of the matter is that over the last 10 years, Pakistan has not produce any batting talent. Credit goes to Misbah that despite this major shortcoming, he has somehow galvanized the team to reach a respectable level. When some one retires, one offers good wishes rather than pinpoint any perceived shortcomings. Being gracious shows good spirits.
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May 17, 2017 03:33pm
A very well deserved farewell to one of the rare gems in international cricket. Wishing you an equally fantastic second innings post retirement. You are a true gentlemen. With respect from India
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May 17, 2017 03:54pm
@Khan - Champions trophy is coming. June 4th. See you there.
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May 17, 2017 04:01pm
@raja Pakistan's record against India is bett both in Test and ODI, 12 wins for Pakistan vs 9 by india in test, and 72 wins by Pakistan vs only 51 by India, and now shut up
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May 17, 2017 04:08pm
@Hyder first develop sense about the game. It is very easy to critisize Misbah but he had to decide the mood based on available resources, you can play attacking cricket when you have Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, javed Miandad, Waqar younis, waseem akram and shoaib akhtar in your side. Misbah had a new with no great names or extra ordinary players,
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May 17, 2017 04:10pm
@Sara Great record of the 70s and 80s! Congratulations Unfortunately TODAY, Pakistan is a walk in the park for India. Just watch the Pak/Ind game of CT how easy it is today
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May 17, 2017 04:18pm
Well done Misbah & Pak team.
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May 17, 2017 04:58pm
You did beat 8th ranked test team headed by a trainee. We would have really appreciated if it were a team lead by Sir Vivian Richards, whose openers are Greenidge and Haynes and whose fast bowlers do not have any mercy. The team whom Misbah beat, to put in IK words, phatichar team. Why celebrate
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May 17, 2017 05:22pm
Pakistan won the test series. They played well. Even thought West Indies were playing in their home ground. Pakistan since 2009 have not played test cricket at home. Most of the teams when they play at home usually wins probably because of the home advantages. We Pakistan do not have that.
Our young players do not have the proper exposure to international teams. But everyone is belittling Pakistan.
As they say, if you cant be happy for someone, at least don't say anything bad.
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May 17, 2017 05:39pm
Welcome to the club.
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May 17, 2017 05:40pm
Well done Pakistan A victory is a victory
I wish we Indians get rid of our condescending attitude
It sucks big time
Great Job Misbah and Younus Well played and have a great life ahead
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May 17, 2017 05:45pm
Well done misbah and younis, thank you for making us all so happy. Lots of love.
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May 17, 2017 05:59pm
@Sara 50 of those wins came in Pakistan & Sharjah where one knows what happens!
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May 17, 2017 06:32pm
People who are comparing the current WI team with the old WI team are totally wrong. This is the team WI selected, we did not hand picked this WI team. We have beaten them in their backyard is a fact! Pakistan cricket survived and surviving even though we are deprived of international cricket, so Misbah's comments are correct; any team in our circumstances can only dream of achieving what we have achieved. Indian commentators please don't try to spoil our party, go back to your betting machine IPL where you have invited all the top players from the world and be happy. Why do you even bother to comment here in this forum? I fail to understand. I know for a fact that India is scared to play with us even with all the recent wins they are just too scared to lose since their public is always ready to crucify them.
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May 17, 2017 07:36pm
@Rahul Misbah's statement is very true as black and white. India dreamed and beat WI, their dream came true.....Just like Misbah's team...So please do not under score his achievements and Pakistan's success.
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May 17, 2017 07:45pm
Misbah - a team man to the core.
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May 17, 2017 10:34pm
@asad Very very weird. Not nice did the media highlight that but for just six ôr seven deliveries, and the indiscretion of a number 11 batsman, Pakistan all but ended on one all ! Misbah looked like he didn't want to be there at all !
West Indies are ranked last in rankings if Darren Bravo and Samuels , Narine play. This was a second level West Indies team which almost held Pakistan to one all draw. Remember just by seven deliveries !!
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May 17, 2017 11:09pm
As the beard of Misbah is growing he is seriously loosing his intelligence and intellectualism for which he was respected for in all cricketing circles..
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May 18, 2017 01:59am
Nobody gives full credit to Misbah and call him tuk tuk. Not many know or care that he has hit most sixes in the history of Pakistan cricket, yes nobody else is even close!
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May 18, 2017 03:27am
Taking over in a period of uncertainty and despair, Misbah showed pure class and determination to keep Pakistan cricket going.
No team could have survived when their top 3 players are banned for that length of time. And when he finally seemed to settle in, another shock - suspect actions of Hafeez and Ajmal came from nowhere.
Yet, despite meagre talent at his disposal and no turf to play on,Misbah and Pakistan team achieved number ONE ranking in test cricket.
Thank you Misbah. You have done most with what little you had!
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May 18, 2017 02:17pm
What a player, excellent gesture to the nation he plays for, Mis | You
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May 18, 2017 08:00pm
Truly heroes of Pakistan. Served well for pakistan. It's now time to leave way for youngsters. Both Misbah and YK didn't figure in any major controversy and behaved well. So congrats to both heroes. Good wishes from an Indian.
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May 18, 2017 08:43pm
Congratulations on winning against WI.
"We have accomplished a feat many teams across the world only dream of."
No player in world will boastfully make such a funny remark after defeating WI staying bottom of the ranking for a long time. No teams like Australia, SA, NZ, IND or even BD will never ever dream of playing like Pakistani team (Just think of last World Cup)
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May 18, 2017 10:56pm
Great Cricketer compare to IK and SA
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May 18, 2017 11:24pm
Thanks great job Misbah and the team.
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May 18, 2017 11:44pm
Pakistan defeated a team that could not qualify for the ICC World Cup. The real icon of the Pakistan cricket is Imran Khan who led a team that beat the best.
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May 19, 2017 05:44am
@mandy : 11 push ups, thats about it!
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