Misbah-ul-Haq to retire from international cricket after Caribbean series

LAHORE: A few days after picking up Wisden’s cricketer of the year award, Misbah-ul-Haq has announced that he would be saying his goodbye’s to international cricket after the West Indies tour concludes.

The veteran batsman announced this at a press conference on Thursday while addressing the media Misbah said “The series against the West Indies is going to be my last series,” the 42-year-old said outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, adding he was not being pressurised into retiring.

“I am satisfied,” the calm business graduate said.

Misbah-ul-Haq has led the Pakistan team to victory in 24 matches , drawing 11 matches on the way and losing only 11 matches.

Despite playing no matches at home due to the security situation in Pakistan, Misbah led Pakistan’s test team to the World Number One ranking in 2016, the achievement that led to his widespread plaudits.

The renowned skipper also said that it is time Sarfraz Ahmed was supported for all fronts, he said that he was a supporter of the one captain for all formats system because that puts one man in-charge of all the teams for different formats so that all the players support one individual.

Former cricketing greats had called for Misbah to step down in the wake of the recent 3-0 whitewash in the hands of the Australians, a series in which Misbah cut an uninspired figure in the dressing room and on field, but Misbah stated that he would make the decision regarding his future on his own.

Adding that “My cricket journey was very good, there were many hardships in my career but for now I am focusing on the present situation,” he said on Thursday.

“The series against the West Indies is a good opportunity to bring the team back on the winning track.”

Misbah has played about 72 Test matches before the Westindian tour, scoring 4951 runs and is currently holds the seventh rank on the list of Pakistan’s highest Test run-getters.

The Business graduate is also Pakistan’s most successful Test captain and had already retired from ODI’s and T20Is after the conclusion of the World Cup 2015.

The Test series against the West Indies begins on April 21 and consists of three test matches scheduled to be played at Jamaica, Barbados and Dominica respectively.