Chasing a 124 total in a t20 match, almost run-a-ball statistics, doesn’t seem that hard right? Ask the Peshawar Zalmi batsman of how difficult it actually was! Losing early wickets is no good sign for any run-chase but when you have experienced cricketers, the age of your fathers playing around and with the experience they have, they sure do make you realise that age is just a number. That’s exactly what Misbah-ul-Haq showed yesterday!
Match with the Qalandars is always tricky, with no idea what will we be expecting, disappointment or utter awe. Unfortunately, we experienced the former side of Lahore, who were able to put up a mediocre score of 124 for Peshawar to chase. But the story isn’t ever that simple, is it? Zalmi found themselves being bullied by the bowlers and were 20-5, this seemed to turn tides around, but Misbah had other plans. Along with Darren Sammy on the other end, they were just too good for the Qalandars and steadied the ship after taking it all the way for Lahore to face another defeat while cementing their place in the top 4.
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The man-of-the-match, Misbah-ul-Haq was a delight to watch as he broke an incredible record.Misbah-ul-Haq scored a half-century and became the oldest player in T20 history to achieve this feat.At 44 years and 282 days, Misbah’s age surpassed the combined ages of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sandeep Lamichhane by 8 years, who were competing against him in the match.
This was Misbah’s 161th T20 match and he has managed 3473 runs at an average of 34.04 and a strike-rate of 116.54. The former Islamabad United captain has scored 1 century and 16 half-centuries in his extensive career.
Speaking about playing cricket at the age of 44, the veteran said:
‘I think I always said that the love of the game and the passion and if they are there you can go to any level.If these things are not there then nothing can motivate you. I am still enjoying the game and tough situations and that’s why you are playing cricket at this age. The key is to play for the love and passion and take challenges.’
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Post-match, Misbah received well-deserved respect from the Zalmi team who saluted the captain. Some scenes!
