By IANS
Guwahati : Pakistan’s big hitting middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said that his role in the team is that of a finisher.
“The presence of Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan is a big advantage for the team. So, when I come in at number six they have already set up the game for us. So, my role is very similar to what I did in the Twenty20 World Championships and that is to finish the game,” said Misbah.
“When I come in to bat, usually I have only 10-15 overs in hand. My aim is to play out all the overs and go for big shots,” the 33-year-old batsman said.
Considering his age, Misbah has not played much international cricket and was out of the national team for three years. But a good domestic season and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s retirement prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board to offer Misbah a central contract in July.
Pakistan selectors surprisingly preferred the 33-year-old ahead of Mohammad Yousuf for the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.
Misbah proved his selectors right by emerging as Pakistan’s best player in the tournament and also nearly taking them to victory in the final against India.
“It was a big disappointment for me and took me some time to come out of it. When I hit the shot I thought it had gone for four. But when I saw Sreesanth take the catch I was heart-broken. The elevation was not right,” admitted Misbah.