Misbah keen to leave Pakistan Test legacy

Pakistan marked the nation’s Independence Day on Sunday with a 10-wicket victory over England in the fourth Test at The Oval in south London that saw them end the four-match series all square at 2-2. 

“The Oval win is not only pleasing as it is achieved on the Independence Day but it will also help us form a legacy for our future Test teams,” Misbah told AFP. “When I took over as captain that was my aim, so this win will help me leave a legacy for future Test teams,” the 42-year-old veteran skipper added. 

Misbah was recalled to the side and given the captaincy following the fall-out from Pakistan’s infamous tour of England in 2010. That saw then Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir given five-year bans and jail terms for deliberately bowling no-balls as a part of a spot-fixing sting in the 2010 Lord’s Test against England. 

But the past six years have not only seen Misbah unite the team but also keep it scandal-free. “It has been important for me to unite the team and unity always brings good results, even in challenging situations like in England,” said Misbah.