Misbah-ul-Haq has excelled in both forms of the game and is an ideal candidate to take over as Pakistan's Test captain, believes former captain Rameez Raja.
KARACHI: His penchant for bizarre dismissals notwithstanding, Misbah-ul-Haq has excelled in both forms of the game and is an ideal candidate to take over as Pakistan's Test captain, believes former captain Rameez Raja.
With the Pakistan Cricket Board deciding to review the performance of skipper Shoaib Malik in January, Rameez said Misbah's form and his educational qualifications made him the ideal choice to replace the incumbent as the Test captain.
"Misbah has resolved a lot of problems in the Pakistan batting and at a time when questions are being asked about Malik's ability to lead the captain in Test matches and Younis Khan has also refused the captaincy, Misbah seems to be the ideal person for the job," Rameez said.
Rameez pointed out that like him, Misbah had done his MBA and given a new lease of life to his career at the age of 33, when most contemplate retirement.
"I admire that person who is respected in the dressing room. I don't bother about what he does off the field in his spare time. But at an age (33) when most people think about retiring, Misbah has shown strength of character by excelling at the top level and surprised everyone with his performances," Rameez said.
"The fact is if Malik can't establish himself, Misbah appears to be an ideal choice to take over as Test captain," Rameez said.
His comments came after Misbah excelled in the first two Tests of the ongoing series against India with a brilliant 82 in New Delhi and then an unbeaten 161 in Kolkata which enabled the beleaguered visitors to save the second Test.
The governing body of the Pakistan Cricket Board is due to meet on January 9 to review the performances of the captain and coach in the recent series against South Africa and the ongoing tour of India.
Rameez, who is in India as a commentator, also expressed surprise at the exclusion of all-rounder Shahid Afridi from the Test squad and said the decision was a joke.
"Afridi should have been retained in the Test side because he brings energy to the team and on the field. His exclusion is a shock."
Rameez also felt that Pakistan was well set now to level the series in Bangalore.
"India has exerted all the pressure it could on Pakistan in the first two Tests. I believe that by saving the second Test Pakistan team can now win the final Test and draw the series."
"It is a matter of just putting some pressure on the Indian team and they will crack. We saw this happening in 1987 and 2005 after they had dominated the earlier Tests," he said.
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