Misbah wise to ignore critics

DUBAI - Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq says his career would have ended long ago if he'd listened to his critics.

Cricket pundits at home came down hard on Misbah after Pakistan were upset by Zimbabwe in Harare last month.

But Misbah came back strong in leading his side to its own stunning victory, a seven-wicket defeat of top-ranked South Africa in their first test last week.

"I'm not bothered what people are saying because if I would have listened to them my career would have been over in 2001," Misbah said yesterday as he prepared for the second test, starting today.

A draw will give Pakistan their first test series victory against the Proteas since they beat Graeme Smith's team at home in 2003.

"I don't just listen to the guys because I know what I'm doing after playing 15 to 20 years of cricket," he said.

"I know what I'm doing right and what I am doing wrong."

The criticism of Misbah has long been about him taking too many deliveries to build the team total. Yet, in a team which has often struggled, his reliable defence has been the main resistance.

This year he has been particularly productive, at the age of 39.

He tops the world this year with 1441 international runs that include 480 in six tests and 961 in 21 one-day internationals.

Misbah played only five tests from 2001-2003, then came back in 2007 and became an integral part of the team. He was made captain and rejuvenated Pakistan after three top players were suspended for spot-fixing in 2010.