“I think Misbah’s time is up”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former Pakistan captains Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram both feel as if it is time for current Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to retire.

There has been a lot of speculation about what the future holds for Misbah, especially after Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 in their recently concluded Test series against Australia.

On Saturday, Misbah insisted that he would take some time to think about his future, but made it clear that he will not make a snap decision.

While it remains to be seen whether Misbah prolongs his international career or calls it quits, Ramiz and Akram have called on him to choose the latter.

“I think Misbah’s time is up,” Ramiz told AFP. “Every sportsman goes through this phase and captain Misbah has offered enough so it’s time to move on.

“I think a captain can only give his best for five years — a period where he gives his maximum — and then his flow chart goes down.

“After that opponents know about his strategies and Misbah has spent that in a glorious way. He has played his innings well to become Pakistan’s most successful skipper.”

Akram echoed Ramiz’s sentiments, telling AFP: “It’s not my call but perhaps if I was in his place I would have quit at this point, having achieved so much.

“When I lost 3-0 in Australia in 1999 I was replaced as captain despite the fact we fought hard in the first two Tests – but a defeat has such consequences.”

Meanwhile, Akram also feels that veteran batsman Younis Khan has shown that he is still able to compete at the highest level following his superb knock of 175 not out in the first innings of the third Test against Australia in Sydney.

“Before the third Test I was of the opinion that Younis should also go but he batted well and can play for some more time,” Akram said.