He spent years in the domestic wilderness, scoring mountains of runs (including a triple century in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy) but rarely getting a look from selectors obsessed with pace and power. By the time he made his ODI debut in 2001 against New Zealand, he was 27—ancient by Pakistani debut standards. He played two matches and vanished for almost three years. Misbah’s true international arrival came in 2007, ironically during a format he was supposedly unsuited for: Twenty20.
The inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa was supposed to be a party for the young and the aggressive. Pakistan, chaotic as ever, had been knocked out of the ODI World Cup earlier that year under Inzamam-ul-Haq. Enter Misbah. At 33, he became the unlikeliest T20 firefighter.
As he once said: "Cricket doesn't owe you anything. You owe everything to the next ball." misbah info
In a country known for volatility, Misbah represented stability. He became a meme (the "Misbah facepalm" when fielders dropped catches), a brand (he endorsed everything from cement to juices), and a philosopher. His autobiography, "The Art of Resilience," is a bestseller in Pakistan.
Then came the final in Johannesburg—September 24, 2007. India set Pakistan 158 to win. When Misbah walked in, Pakistan were reeling at 77/4. He methodically rebuilt, then exploded. With 13 balls left, Pakistan needed 54. Misbah hit Harbhajan Singh for three sixes in an over. The impossible was becoming possible. He spent years in the domestic wilderness, scoring
Needing 6 off 4 balls, Misbah attempted the now-legendary "scoop" over short fine leg against Joginder Sharma. He didn't connect cleanly. Sreesanth took the catch at short fine leg. India won. Pakistan lost.
But "great" misses the point. Misbah was . He was the adult in the room when everyone else was throwing tantrums. He took a team that was banned, despised, and broken, and turned them into the world’s most respected Test side. Enter Misbah
He played outrageous strokes: reverse sweeps off pace bowlers, paddle scoops over fine leg, and lofted drives inside the powerplay. In the group stage against India, he smashed 53 off 35 balls. In the semi-final against New Zealand, he played a captain’s knock of 43 off 38. He was the tournament’s leading run-scorer.