Pakistan middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq believes that cricket is a game by chance
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
'Cricket is a game by chance'
Delhi: Misbah-ul-Haq is fast gaining a cult status as cricket's tragic hero. Invariably when the Pakistani top-order falls flat, this middle-order batsman stands tall and often does the rebuilding job.
Misbah, who is often criticised for the weird ways in which he gets out and for not finishing the game, has emerged as the one of the most innovative batsmen in recent times. His innings against India in the last year’s ICC World Twenty20 are still fresh in the memories. And the unsuccessful scoop shot that he played off Joginder Sharma is still a hair rising experience.
In an exclusive interview with Cricketnirvana.com Editor Faisal Shariff, Misbah recalled Pakistan’s tragic loss against archrivals India in the final of the ICC World Twenty20.
Was the World Twenty20 final against India your most memorable match?
Chasing 157 runs on that wicket was not difficult. There was a situation when we had our backs against the wall and it appeared as if we were going to lose but I was hopeful of taking the match till the last over. And the match reached a situation from where it could have gone either way. In the end there are certain things that are not in your hand. One can say that cricket is a game by chance.
You went down to India in the league match where the historic bowl-out was played. Was there an added pressure on you going into the finals?
There was no pressure on me. I don’t think about the past. I try to play the role assigned to me by the team management and the situation of the match. I was playing according to the situation of the match.
When you were batting with Yasir Arafat, Pakistan’s chances were still bright. What were you telling batsmen joining you in the middle?
I was just telling them to keep the belief that the match is not over till the last ball is bowled or the last wicket goes down.
What were you thinking when you played that ‘Scoop’ shot?
Before that final over, we required 17 runs in 7 balls and Asif came out to the middle. I told Asif to just defend anything and give me the strike. I was just zeroing-in on who might bowl the last over. I was still hopeful to win the match for my country even when we required 17 runs. And I knew that if the ball was coming nicely on to the bat, then anything was possible. When Asif scored 4 runs off the last delivery of the penultimate over, I knew that we had a fair chance of winning the match. 13 runs off the last over was no big deal. All I knew was that I would give my best effort and if we lost then I couldn't do much.
Were you surprised when MS Dhoni called up Joginder Sharma to bowl the last over?
I was not surprised. Dhoni had just three options – Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Joginder Sharma. And since a spinner could have been expensive at that stage, I knew that Dhoni will call up Joginder.
What went through your mind when the scoop shot went high in air?
My plan was to hit the ball flat but it went high. I knew exactly then that I had made a mistake. But I was still hopeful that the catch would be dropped. I was running in anticipation that I would get another life. I was thinking that if the catch would have been dropped, then I would have remained on strike.
Did any member of the Indian team say something to you after the match?
Everyone encouraged me. All cricketers realised that I tried hard to win. The match could have gone either way. If the last pair is in the middle then a batsman will always try to hit shots. If that shot would have come out nicely then we would have won but somehow it didn’t.
What did Lawson tell you after the match?
Lawson patted me on the back and everyone in the dressing room encouraged me after that knock. Nobody criticised me for the scoop shot. Everyone praised my innings and effort.
Did you and Sreesanth talk after the match?
Not really. We have met quite a few times after that, but we haven't discussed that match. I do talk to him and we are all good friends.
