Age should not be selection criteria: Misbah

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

While the PCB still backs him as captain, a lobby in the national team, has been raising questions over his advancing years. -Photo by AP

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, while trying to play down his advancing years due to which questions are being raised over his international career, has contended that the standard of selection of a player should not be his age, but his performance.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Misbah, who will be 38 next month, said that if a 16-year-old fails to perform and an ageing player delivers then it’s the right of the latter to be selected.

Misbah is considered as an important member of Pakistan’s batting line-up and with his calmness and calculated strokes, he has helped Pakistan to victories on several occasions.

While the PCB still backs him as captain, a lobby in the national team, along with some other stakeholders, has been raising questions over his advancing years.

Meanwhile, Misbah while urging for the revival of India-Pakistan cricketing ties stated that throughout the world many spectators wanted it to happen.

He said the two countries face each other seldomly due to which pressure builds on players of both the teams, while adding that holding a series consistently between the two sides would help minimise that pressure.

Commenting on holding an IPL-style T20 event in Pakistan, he said that if the Pakistan Premier League started, it would help Pakistan’s cricketers get international exposure as well as financial benefits.

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MOHSIN

Apr 16, 2012 05:43pm

I totally agree that what mentioned Chief Engr Shahid Ali in his comments PCB Should force to Misbah to step down from his post and say good bye cricket as this is the voice of all Pakistani except few person who are close to Misbaha, PCB should have to decide as did ACB Against Pointing did Misbaha is best vs pointing if PCB want to play Misbah at the age of 38 then bring back Mohammad Yousuf he is best 2 fold then Misbah

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muhammad_asifsaeed@y

Apr 14, 2012 01:32pm

misbah zindabad

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Atif

Apr 16, 2012 06:17am

You have very little cricketing knowledge Mr Engr Shahid. You ignored many facts including current form of the Players. Please check the records of last one year and averages and then comment.

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Chief Engr Shahid Al

Apr 15, 2012 06:54pm

We totally agree that age should not be the criteria but it is for player like Sangakara,Jawardney,Sachin. Not for some one who did not score a single centry in 94 one days and we let him play inthe age of 38 where there are many talenetd youngsters waiting for their turn.PCB need some one to lead the team in the next world cup and off course no one except the Legend Imran Khan had played until 40. So Misbah should be given a graceful exit before the June and Hafeez is the right choice for all three formats of the Game. If Misbah was a great like other international players from start to finish then he could have carried on..but as Dravid retired, Ricky ponting was dumped..then why not Misbah should leave.. is he a better player than Yousaf and Inzi the gr8.. Don't be like Pakistani Politicians..for heaven sake let others have a chance too.

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