Misbah-ul-Haq scores 34-ball century in Norway
Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is continuing to create history wherever he goes with the latest being scripted in the Norwegian capital city of Oslo as the 42-year-old smashed a 34-ball century in a charity match. His century came against an opposition side which had Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif in their ranks with the right-handed batsmen clubbing his former teammate for three huge sixes during his knock.
Misbah led the Pakistan side to a commendable 2-2 draw in an exciting four-match Test series against England after heading into the series as underdogs despite Mohammad Amir’s long-awaited return to Test cricket after serving out his ban for his role in the spot-fixing scandal.
In the end, it was the team’s two veteran batsmen – Younis Khan and Misbah himself who impressed with the latter setting the team on their way with a century at Lord’s in the opening Test.
In the process, Misbah became the oldest cricketer in more than 50 years to score a Test century and celebrated with push-ups which will go down in history as one of the most iconic celebrations on the cricket field. With the Test series done and dusted, Misbah now waits his turn for Pakistan’s next assignment in the longest format of the game but is making sure to create landmarks in whatever time is left for him as a cricket player.
Misbah is still around in Europe and he was in Norway to take part in a charity game at Bislett Stadium in Oslo as part of the ‘Play for Peace’ festival. The veteran batsman, was unstoppable in his knock as he smashed as many as 12 sixes, including five consecutive maximums off a local Norwegian bowler.
Apart from Asif, the Norwegian side also featured Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq but the star of the show was undoubtedly Misbah who will undoubtedly have found himself a few new fans from the European nation.
Looking at the success, the likes of Misbah and Younis continues to achieve even at such a late stage in their careers, Asif is also hopeful of making an international comeback.
"Every human being has made a mistake," Asif, who is playing club cricket in Norway as part of his comeback bid, told the BBC in Oslo last month. "We made a mistake, we apologised and, after a mistake, everyone has the right to come back on track.
"It was a hard time, I went to jail and was banned and things got worse and worse. But, in the last year, things are getting better and better. "The next season is very important for me. I want to come back and play a good standard, international standard, so I need to work hard and train hard.
"There are a few hurdles. I need to get fit, perform well and then my aim is to go with the team on the Australia and New Zealand tour."