Passion for cricket keeps me running, says veteran Misbah

Peshawar Zalmi's Misbah Ul Haq became the oldest T20 player to score a half-century.

Misbah Ul Haq will be 45 in May but continues to play with unparalleled passion and love for the game - factors that have helped him become the oldest T20 player to score a half-century and take Peshawar Zalmi to the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League 2019 with a four-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in Abu Dhabi.
Misbah, who made his first-class debut in 1998, still has insatiable hunger for the game.
"If you have passion and love for the game then you can reach any level. If those aspects are missing then nothing else can motivate you. I still enjoy this game, tough situations and challenges being thrown at me, and these are the things which keep me running. I enjoy batting in such situations. In fact this is the reason why you play cricket," he said after rescuing Zalmi from 20 for five.
Misbah highlighted the long hours put on the field and training, playing in first-class and List A tournaments that have kept him in good shape.
"It all depends on factors like determination, discipline and motivation, and how far you can push yourself. If I hadn't played first-class cricket before reaching here then it would have been difficult for me to perform like this. I am playing after a gap of 20 days following my first game (on February 15) and initially while fielding it felt that I was making my debut. When you play regular cricket then you remain match-fit."
He noted the key to success in T20 format was the ability to adapt and playing according to situation.
"A player should have strong basics. If your 3-4 players are out and ball is swinging then you should try to survive that phase for a chance to win. You need to have the right temperament to stay longer and also score quick runs when needed," he said after the 100-run sixth-wicket PSL record partnership with skipper Darren Sammy.
Misbah revealed that he played the game largely to counter leg-spin threat of Sandeep Lamichhane.
"He is a good bowler and has frustrated every batsman. But I had a slight advantage against him as I could pick easily his googly. Actually this is one of the reasons why I played this game. My role was to just see off his four overs. That was our strategy."
Misbah hammered Lamichhane for back-to-back sixes in the 10th over and soon the star bowler was taken out of attack. Misbah, an MBA grad, has once again implemented his risk management plan to perfection.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com