A defiant Misbah-ul-Haq has ruled out stepping down as Pakistan’s 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 recently one-day series in the UAE.
Misbah salvaged some personal reputation by emerging as the leading scorer in one-day internationals this year with 1,119 runs from 26 matches but many, including the former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, felt his batting lacked aggression and that he was uninspiring as a leader.
“I have no intentions of quitting,” said Misbah, 39. “I am doing well and as long as I am in form, I will continue to play for my country.
“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 some critics believe his skill with the bat is not enough. “All those people who say I am too slow and not aggressive should first check their stats … I have been the most consistent scorer for the team in both formats,” Misbah said.
A senior member of the Pakistan cricket board recently said the team should not be expected 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 said.
Pakistan are due to tour South Africa this month to play three one-dayers and two Twenty20 matches.
First, they play the last of two T20 internationals in Dubai tonight. Misbah is not in the T20 squad.
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