KARACHI: Former Pakistan players on Thursday said it was surprising to see that Misbah-ul-Haq’s tremendous contribution to the national team’s success was not found good enough for recognition at the annual PCB awards ceremony held in Lahore last week.

While Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez walked with most of the awards, Misbah was ignored by the three-member committee formed to select the winners.

“It is very disappointing to see that someone like Misbah who can easily enough be rated among Pakistan’s most successful captains has not been acknowledged by the PCB during the award ceremony,” former captain Rashid Latif said.

“It is sad that we have always tended to overlook the contribution of Misbah to Pakistan cricket. He has led the side maturely at a time when Pakistan cricket was going through its worst crisis.

“But being a gentleman that he is, Misbah has not protested over this. If I had been in his place or any other cricketer would definitely have protested over this injustice,” Latif added.

Misbah, 38, took over as Pakistan captain soon after the nasty ‘spot-fixing’ scandal that emerged in England in August 2010 and has since led the country to several fine wins in Tests over England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Former Test batsman Mohsin Khan also felt that grave injustice had been done by the PCB in not recognising Misbah’s contribution to the team at the annual awards.

“He should have been given a special award because I know from close how well he has managed the team and kept the players together in reallt tough times,” Mohsin said.

He pointed out that in 2010 and 2011 Misbah shouldered the Pakistan batting on most occasions.

“It was the first time the annual awards were held and Misbah was not given any award which is sheer carelessness from the board.”

Another former captain Mushtaq Mohammad said Pakistan’s Test and one-day teams still needed someone like Misbah to lead them.

“He brings a stable influence to the team and in the dressing room. The team needs a calming influence and a mature player like him, specially in Test cricket, who can lead the team well besides batting for long periods,” Mushtaq said.—Agencies