MUMBAI - Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq was happy to set world record of officiating in most number of Test matches as a captain after the age of 40.
Born in Mianwali, Punjab on May 28, 1974, the 41-year-old right-handed batsman is captaining the Pakistani team against England in the ongoing Sharjah Test in the 15th Test, i.e. two Tests more than England's WG Grace, who led in 13 Tests after crossing the age of 40.
Speaking over his mobile from Sharjah, Misbah says, "I am happy to know this record from you. But for me, important thing is my performance and not this record. It is really satisfying for me that even after the age of 40, I am still scoring runs for my team.” Incidentally, on day one of the current Test, the captain was the highest run-scorer from his team. His 71 runs included seven fours and two sixes.
Misbah hopes his record will be intact for many years. No player from Pakistan has ever captained in Test beyond this age. "It is not easy in today's cricket to carry on till this age as the demands of this game are getting higher,” he said and added: "It will not be easy to break this record for anyone but still it is not impossible.”
Though captain didn't spell out, he is believed to have put his retirement on hold. According to some highly-placed sources close to the team management, Misbah is likely to continue to play against England next year also. Even PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan doesn't want him to retire at this stage. If the sources are to be believed, Misbah will not retire irrespective of the result of the current series. But then nothing can be said with certainty in Pakistan cricket.