The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left it up to Misbah-ul-Haq to decide whether he will lead Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup, at the same time quelling speculation that Misbah was pushed into stepping down from the side for the third and final ODI against Australia in Abu Dhabi.
Misbah was publicly assured of the ODI captaincy until the World Cup just last month. But late on Saturday evening, after he had overseen a series loss to Australia, Misbah took the decision to step away from the side for the final, dead rubber game in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
That immediately sparked speculation that his own poor form and increasing criticism of his leadership, as well as unhappiness within the team, had forced him into what may be a permanent decision. Shahid Afridi took over the captaincy on Sunday.
But speaking to The National, the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that Misbah had come under no pressure to step aside and that he would, if he chooses, remain the one-day captain into the World Cup.
“Misbah-ul-Haq decided that he needed a break from the rather depressing scores he has had in Sri Lanka as well as here,” Shaharyar said. “The management also agreed that if he wants to sit this out, it is his own decision. No one coerced him into doing this. He himself decided that this is the right time for him to take a break and see if he can recover in the Tests.”
Misbah was said by close observers to have been increasingly disappointed with a lack of support from within the team structure. Though there is no suggestion that Afridi has played a part in his stepping down, the pair have inadvertently competed for the leadership of the 50-over side from early 2011.
Having taken over the Test captaincy in late 2010, Misbah was in the running to become ODI captain as well running into the 2011 World Cup. The PCB stuck with Afridi, however, and he took Pakistan to the semi-finals of that tournament.
But once he was removed in May that year, following a public falling out with coach Waqar Younis, Misbah took over and had held the position through 75 matches.
Despite building up a winning record of 39 wins and 33 losses in that period, criticism has never been far.
Additionally, Afridi’s popularity as a player and a perceived aggression that is contrasted with Misbah’s more defensive style has skewed the debate.
But the absence of Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal from the current XI has also played a role. Both have been staunch allies of Misbah and without them, it is said that he had begun to feel isolated. The form that Shaharyar referred to has not been great: in his last five ODIs he has just 82 runs, including a first-ball dismissal in the first ODI against Australia in Sharjah.
Only last year though he was the world’s leading ODI run-scorer with 1,373 runs. It is that form which has allowed the PCB to back him even at this point.
“Naturally he is a human being and he is depressed at the fact that he hasn’t been scoring and when you don’t score and you’re skipper, the whole team suffers,” said Shaharyar, who had a half hour discussion with Misbah.
“What I found very noble on his part is that he said if the day I get an idea that the team is suffering because of me, then I will say myself, let me go. But I have hope right now that I can recover from this, and show my mettle.
“I or management have not influenced Misbah to step down, he has done it on his own, he is determined to return. He says if I am back to form I would like to lead in the World Cup.
“I told him, we appointed you till the World Cup. We were criticized for it and we will be now even more as he has not scored runs. But we remain totally firm behind you that he will lead. If you yourself think your leadership will not deliver, then it is up to you. We will not push you out.
“This is the view of all three of us – Waqar and Moin [Khan, chief selector and manager], and I have told Misbah this. Waqar and Moin are agreed on this. He is determined to put things right and if he does he is back.”
Other names have been considered as contingency, Shaharyar added, but said the decision will be left to Misbah.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
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