2017 has been a tough year. Seeing Shahid Afridi part ways from Pakistan cricket was a difficult pill to swallow. As I witness the end of a chapter in Pakistan cricket, I can’t help but to take out the time to reflect on the journeys of Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq. The giants have had a monumental impact on Pakistan cricket throughout the 21st century. Seeing both go during the third test match of the ongoing series with West Indies is complex for the Pakistani fan. The boots of Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq will be difficult to fill for the likes of an Azhar Ali or a Babar Azam.
As a Pakistani American, I first started watching cricket in 2007 and was nervous to witness a post Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf era. However, under the resolve of Younis, Pakistan clasped the WT20 Championship in 2009. Although, I still credit the back to back man of the match performances of Shahid Afridi towards Pakistan’s championship, I must not overlook the captaincy conducted by Younis Khan during that specific ICC tournament.
Younis, Pakistan’s most successful test cricketing batsman, became Pakistan’s first to hit over 10,000 runs. Over the course of his test career, Younis scored six 200+ scores, and a career high of 313 against Sri Lanka. He exclusively holds the unique record of having scored a century in all eleven test hosting nations in the world. When it comes to hitting tons in the fourth innings, no other batsman in the game has scored more than him with a grand total of five centuries. Although I was not a tremendous fan of his style or approach, I will certainly miss Younis Khan’s presence in Pakistan’s white kit. His contributions to the game and Pakistan cricket will be a difficult summit for any cricketer to top in the several years ahead. Hats off to YK.
Misbah Ul Haq, another pillar of Pakistan cricket has now retired. Misbah was one of the most scrutinized players for his performance in the 2007 WT20 Final and his approach in taking on India in the 2011 World Cup semifinal in Mohali. However, he remained resilient and persistent in silencing both his critiques at home and abroad. He was given the great responsibility of captaining a Pakistan side that was low on confidence due to the 2010 spot fixing scandal and was always leading from the front as Pakistan continued to play games on the road as a result of the 2009 terrorist attacks on Sri Lanka’s cricket team as they toured Pakistan. Misbah walks from the game as the most winningest captain for Pakistan with 26 test wins, 11 series wins, and bolstering an average of 52.00 as Pakistan’s skipper. Seeing this old war horse hit the quickest half century and test century was admirable. He parts ways from the game as a smasher of the most 6s for a captain in test cricket history. Seeing Misbah bid international cricket goodbye was semi-comical as he hit two 99s in back to back tests, only to get out for 2 in his final innings for Pakistan during his last series. Misbah ul Haq should drop another ten pushups for his total of ten tons in test cricket, what a legend.
Whether or not you are a fan of Pakistan, the contributions of Younis Khan and Misbah Ul Haq towards international cricket cannot go unnoticed by the global cricketing community. Both Younis and Misbah Ul Haq took Pakistan and placed them at World #1 across different formats in their respective careers. Younis placed the cornered tigers at the paramount of International Twenty20 cricket in 2009 and Misbah Ul Haq led Pakistan to being the #1 ranked team in test cricket in 2016. Fittingly, Wisden announces both Younis and Misbah as being amongst their 2017 cricketers of the year.
Witnessing the Pakistani flag being wrapped around the shoulders of Misbah and Younis made them seem as though they were superheroes. Both conclude their cricket careers with a test series victory against the West Indies. A lovely cherry on top for both giants of the game. Champions are forever cemented and both their legacies will continue to shine on Pakistan. Thank you and MISYOU.
Chirping Cricketer 