Misbah Suspended In Hamilton Test

Misbah To Miss 2nd Test at Hamilton:

Misbah ul Haq is suspended from Hamilton test due to low over rate. Misbah was given warning for slow over rate this year and according to ICC rules if a captain gets 2 warnings with in 12 months then captain would be suspended from 1 test match. Misbah ul Haq would not captain or play in Pakistan tour of New Zealand second test match to be played in Hamilton on 24th of November.

Earlier Misbah ul Haq was set to miss Pakistan tour of New Zealand second test match at Hamilton due to personal reasons. Misbah decided to return home when he heard the sad news that his father in law is critically ill. Misbah father-in-law was admitted to hospital in intensive care on Sunday morning who has now passed away. Misbah was in Christchurch with his family and has departed for Pakistan to attend the funeral and be with rest of family in this sad time. In Misbah absence Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali will lead the team in 2nd test at Hamilton, New Zealand. Misbah set record of leading Pakistan test cricket team in 50 matches. Apart from a great leader, Misbah provide middle order stability to Pakistani batting. He has never averaged less than 40 in past six years, Misbah is truly 'The Wall' which barely cracks. He can be defensive and stay on the pitch for hours and session and he can be aggressive by scoring world fastest test half century and second-joined fastest test century. Misbah set to return home and will miss Hamilton test match.

Misbah ul Haq departure is be a big blow to Pakistan. Having lost first test match at Christchurch, Pakistan test team morale will be bit down. Losing a leader and a most valuable middle order batsman is a double blow to Pakistan test team and their chances of regaining no. 1 test team ranking looks really slim. Misbah has only missed one test in past six years. Misbah was suspended from 1 test match due to slow over rate. Apart from that he has always played in every test since he has been appointed captain. Azhar Ali will be stand-in captain in Hamilton test. "Misbah's been exceptional throughout the years and we'll miss him definitely," Azhar said following the loss in the first Test at Hagley Oval. "We have to cope with that now and whoever comes into the side will take that opportunity and give us runs, as well as the stability he gives us in the middle". "We'll miss him definitely," Azhar said. Travel time between New Zealand and Pakistan is minimum 18 hours one way and Misbah might not be in right state of mind even if come back to join Pakistan test squad for Hamilton test. 

Misbah left New Zealand 6:00pm in the evening on Sunday after hearing sad news of father-in-law passed away. "We just found out about it this morning and he and his wife are leaving for Pakistan in the evening on a 6.00pm flight,” a Pakistan team official told cricket.com.au. “We are not sure if he will be able to play in Hamilton,” a Pakistan team official said. Pakistan cricket team will wish that Misbah can join the squad ahead of Hamilton test but chances are very slim. Pakistan will have to go ahead under new stand-in captain Azhar Ali.

Kane Williamson said that Pakistan is number 2 in ICC test ranking and main reason is experience in the squad. Misbah absence will be a big loss for Pakistan team but with out him Pakistan is still a very good test team. "Misbah is a fantastic leader, certainly a great middle order batter and a world class player," Williamson said. "When you're without someone like that it is a loss. But (one of the) reasons why they're number two (in the world) is because they have depth and experience. "I'm sure they'll find a suitable option for that middle order."

No official announcement on Misbah ul Haq replacement has been made by PCB. His place might be filled by Sharjeel Khan or Mohammad Rizwan. 

Reference: espncricinfo, sbs and cricket.com.au

Share on Google Plus

About Unknown