Captain's Outstanding Performance & Fitness | Best Ageing Player Ever?

He can block all day. He can consistently hit sixes and find the fence at will. He can knock it around into gaps. He is a complete player. The most complete in his country. No one has looked more complete worldwide at such an age. Remarkable. One man keeps carrying the vast vast bulk of the work. Class personified. - Via KING Misbah 18/09/13

ICC 10th Under 19 World Cup to Start on 14th February

Under 19 World Cup Winners

1998 = England, Captain Owais Shah
2000 = India, Captain Mohammad Kaif
2002 = Australia, Captain Cameron White
2004 = Pakistan, Captain Khalid Latif
2006 = Pakistan, Captain Safraz Ahmed
2008 = India, Captain Virat Kohli
2010 = Australia, Captain Mitchell Marsh
2012 = India, Captian Unmukt Chand

It will be the first time UAE are hosting an ICC Event

Australia won the 1988 edition in Australia, but it started in 98 proper

Under 19 Asia Cup will follow, also be to played in the UAE

Next year in the first 4 months there will therefore be a:
World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand
Under 19 World Cup in UAE
Under 19 Asia Cup in UAE
Asia Cup in Bangladesh
World T20 in Bangladesh
Womens World T20 in Bangladesh

Picture: Unmukt Chand with Virat Kohli, two youth World Cup winning captains for India in 2008 & 2012

Faysal Bank T20

Groom a Successor While Misbah is Leading

It's a favourite frequently discussed topic of many. No team can function without it. Captaincy; some just have it. Others don't. It's not particularly the subject you can dramatically pick up and learn. It's a complicated business. The significance of a captain in such a sport is greater than any other sports in terms of their continuous involvement to make decisions and direct proceedings. Their authority is unmatched, but with that comes supreme responsibility. Many crumble under it. Some survive. Some thrive. 

Captains in Pakistani culture are either appointed based on their captaincy credentials and being naturally identified leaders or they are given the honour as a result of their seniority and experience in a team environment. The current man in office is a prime example of someone who was given the role as a result of being a 'Specialist Captain' having only played 19 test matches before being thrown in with the thankless task of rejuvenating a broken outfit. The ever controlled Misbah had always been regarded as a suitable and capable leader of men which is evident with him captaining several domestic sides since 2001 at a younger age and that too having commenced his first class career late by Pakistani standards due to academic commitments.

On the other hand, the likes of Inzamam were given the role as a result of their seniority and being the most capped member of the side having been given the honour after over a decade of regularly being involved in the side. He was not necessarily considered as an individual with leadership pedigree, but built up a strong playing reputation over an extended career to be able to gather the respect of his younger team members as a senior figure which led to him captaining the side towards the latter part of his illustrious career. 

In Pakistan, seniority is often a key factor in gaining the right to captain the country, perhaps even more so than having specialist captains with the qualities and CV behind them. This is what makes the current captain positively different from the rest. Elsewhere, this tag of seniority is less so. The likes of Michael Atherton, Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Alastair Cook, Virat Kohli have all led at an Under 19 World Cup before and gone on to lead their national teams in some capacity or another. They have been identified as potential leaders from the days of their youth. The progression plan has followed to the top level.

The likes of Umar Akmal, Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad and Junaid Khan to just take as a handful of examples simply do not cut it as captains despite some Pakistani fans believing they do just because of their popularity or performance. Neither do they have it in them as has been seen with the lack of opportunities they are getting to lead sides at the lower levels, hence not being regarded as men who could control a side. And neither are they vastly experienced as seniors. Captains have to be creative, natural, outside of the box choices. If that is not possible, you turn to seniority as a last resort. Very few can lead and lead well. It's not an art that every Tom, Dick and Harry can effectively adopt. Of course, it is possible to find born captains that are not necessarily the best of players. Hence, it's worthwhile to go searching beyond the usual names for such an integral matter which can frequently dictate the path of a side. 

George Bailey was made captain on debut. Alastair Cook was captain of the ODI team after the 2011 World Cup having not been in the World Cup Squad, let alone the final playing XI. Misbah was made captain having not played in the previous six test matches. Mike Brearley famously captained England to Ashes glory in 1981 having not been in the side at the start of the series. Rob Key was also in the hunt some years ago as a candidate to lead England in the coloured clothing having not been in the side; however that did not overshadow his achievements whilst leading Kent.

These are all examples of creative choices and they have all succeeded. PCB could learn a lesson or two, particularly with them gaining overwhelming success when Ijaz Butt pulled off a masterstroke and the finest moment of his tenure by appointing Misbah, a move that not many would have taken. They should creatively groom a successor to Misbah based purely on leadership skills. There may not be many around in Pakistan, but there are 2 that strike me that are worth a serious punt.

Azhar Ali portrays the impression of leadership potential. He is mentally a tough cookie, principled, methodical and temperamentally unfazed as many would know from his enduring playing style. These are often key traits in successful leaders. A clear organised mindset to be able to counter several different situations that you will come across and react constructively to them. As a purist he is known to be responsible, focused and mature which his stoic persistence epitomises, more traits of features one looks for in deciding whether one fills the criteria of captaincy material. In addition, he speaks confidently with the press, is disciplined, has captaincy experience by leading Lahore to the final of the National Domestic One day Cup 2013 and is rated by senior pundits, his own captain and coaches as someone who could do the job at some point. Having played 12 consecutive test series without missing a game since July 2010 and adjudged the PCB Test Batsmen of the year in 2012/13, he is more than established. He has played more test matches than Saeed Ajmal. One must remember that during the unforgettable whitewash against the colonial father, the number 3 rock was the only batsmen from either side to average above 50 and that too in a series where wickets fell in clusters with ball dominating bat.

Umar Amin is a fairly educated well brought up individual from my understanding and research. I know one does not get extra runs or wickets for being educated as many people would forward in response. However, education produces thinking cricketers with sharper minds, suitable ambassadors who can interact in a professional diplomatic manner, players who can command the respect of the dressing room, boosts a player's self-esteem and generally speaking prevents the occurrence of misguided players. Some of the finest captains the game has seen have been renown as highly educated people, inevitably making them top class role models. The likes of Michael Atherton, Kumar Sangakkara, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Imran Khan, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley are just some of the many. Ed Cowan in Australia was on the brink of being a serious contender for the vice captaincy of the Australian test side earlier in the year. His academic background went strongly in his favour. Amin also has captaincy experience, leading the Under-25 side to glory in the SAARC championship 2 years ago.

Hafeez does not cut it anymore due to his severe deficiencies in the test game and his unwillingness to move into the lower middle order. It's benefiting to have the Test and ODI captain the same, just like the worldwide trend in most international outfits barring West Indies and South Africa. Even there they have the Test captain still playing ODIs as a player. Hence, Hafeez was never someone I was too hopeful about for becoming a proper skipper outside the limited over arena because there were always doubts over his test match ability and now more than ever. In T20s though while captaining, he has not done much wrong, undefeated in 5 series and having the most international wins by a Pakistan Captain in the format with a winning percentage of 67. But you don't become a great captain by just doing well in T20s or the limited over formats only. 

For now and at least until the 11th ICC World Cup in 16 months’ time or the England ‘home’ series later that year at a stretch, Misbah undoubtedly remains the only choice to lead the side across Tests and ODIs, the best choice to lead, a highly idealistic choice and best all-round choice. As the only Pakistan Captain to have won more than he has lost in all 3 formats, 1 win away from being in position 4 for the most international wins by a Pakistani Captain and having the highest win/loss ratio by a Pakistani international Captain across 3 different formats with a qualification of 60 matches, he has established himself as the best 21st century Pakistani Captain and not someone who should be dismissed so easily, but rather someone who we should be reaping the rewards of unseen continuity with by appreciating the benefit of having him around. In addition, he is the most consistently individually performing batting skipper, most proven batsmen that has mastered the 3 different formats in the country and best ageing player Pakistan have ever had. His 2013 numbers, much like 2011, are astonishing, carrying the vast bulk of the work for teams that are heavily reliant on him as an assuring lone battler. When you have found a leader as accomplished as him, particularly in an environment that is known to struggle with leadership, you need to encourage them to keep going as they come far and few between. It's difficult to imagine finding anyone equal to his standing for a lengthy time to follow without the slightest of hyperbole.

The daft age arguments which completely lack thought will keep cropping up. Yes, normally a 39 year old should not be playing on the international scene. But since when has Misbah been a normal 39 year old? He has been performing exceptionally at the age and set a very high fitness benchmark which coaches would testify. He has the most 50+ scores by an ODI player at 38+ and has 11 half centuries in 15 international innings since turning 39. Most recently, he averaged 195 in the Champions League T20, striking all 13 sixes his team hit in the competition, including a man of the match award in the last game for an unbeaten 93 from just 60 deliveries. The late 30s hasn't been the twilight of a very consistent but late starting career for him, rather the peak. Hence, he is a big EXCEPTION to the rule. Many players with significantly worse performance and fitness levels than him have played into their 40s. He has shown that age has no limitations better than anyone. He has proven that with experience and maturity, it can be a thriving period in a career rather than a declining one. He is one who has not been affected by the whole age tag concept where many start to enter panic mode, by doing so start doubting themselves. He has a genuine age which for Pakistanis is a basic honesty lacked in many cases. Having spent a long time plying his trade in the first class circuit, he is now enjoying the fruits of dedication, commitment and desire having not been disheartened by a lack of opportunities in his younger years, at the top level. 

However, PCB need to look ahead at the same time and think of someone that could lead the side such as Azhar Ali and Umar Amin between 2016-2019 and beyond. This is a time when Pakistan will possibly be touring England every summer with tours in 2016 and 2018, World Cup in 2019; assuming they qualify for the inaugural ICC Test Championship in 2017. Someone who has played here before and is aware of the scrutiny that is under the Pakistan side when they visit England is needed. Amin and Azhar both fill this criteria having toured in 2010 and with Amin also playing in the Champions Trophy this year and league cricket for Morecambe CC the summer before. Groom now while one of Pakistan's most articulate and professional leaders is reigning.

Nevertheless, long term planning just isn't part of the PCB psyche is it?

Tournament Stats

Team India - 2013, Most Impressive Unit

Defeated England in an ODI series

Hosted the Women's World Cup 10th edition

Defeated Australia 4-0 in a test series

Won the ICC Champions Trophy final edition

Won the triangular series in the West Indies

Whitewashed Zimbabwe 5-0 in the ODIs

Won the ACC Emerging Teams Cup with the U23 side

Pakistan's 2015 World Cup Fixtures

Sunday 15th February
vs India
Venue = Adelaide
D/N

Saturday 21st February
vs West Indies
Venue = Christchurch

Sunday 1st March
vs Zimbabwe 
Venue = Brisbane
D/N

Wednesday 4th March
vs 4th qualifier
Venue = Napier

Saturday 7th March
vs South Africa
Venue = Auckland
D/N

Sunday 15th March
vs Ireland
Venue = Adelaide
D/N

2015 World Cup Groups + Personal Advanced Predictions

Group A

Australia
England
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Qualifier 2 (Prediction Afghanistan)
Qualifier 3 (Prediction UAE)

Group B

India
Pakistan
South Africa
West Indies
Ireland
Zimbabwe
Qualifier 4 (Prediction Canada)

Prediction of standing

Group A

England - 6 wins
Sri Lanka - 4 wins
New Zealand - 4 wins
Australia - 3 wins
Afghanistan - 2 wins
Bangladesh - 1wins 
UAE  - 0 wins

Group B

India - 6 wins
Pakistan - 5 wins
South Africa - 4 wins
West Indies - 3 wins
Ireland - 2 wins
Zimbabwe - 1 win
Canada - 0 wins

Final most likely to be

England vs South Africa
England vs India 
England vs New Zealand 

Not hopeful for most:

Australia
West Indies

Player of the tournament will be either:

Misbah ul Haq
MS Dhoni
Virat Kohli
KP
Trott
Anderson
Ashwin
Watson
Vettori
Steyn
Amla
Ross Taylor
Mohammad Irfan
Mitchell McClenaghan  

World Cup Winning Captains

1975 = Clive Lloyd (West Indies)
1979 = Clive Lloyd (West Indies)
1983 = Kapil Dev (India)
1987 = Allan Border (Australia)
1992 = Imran Khan (Pakistan)
1996 = Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka)
1999 = Steve Waugh (Australia)
2003 = Ricky Ponting (Australia)
2007 = Ricky Ponting (Australia)
2011 = MS Dhoni (India)
2015 = ????
2019 = ????
2023 = ????

MS Dhoni's CV as Captain

TRIUMPHS

Champions Trophy Winners 2013 in England
Tri Series Winners 2013 in the West Indies
World Cup Champions 2011 in India
World T20 Champions 2007 in South Africa
Led India to number 1 in test rankings in 2009
Asia Cup Winners 2010 in Sri Lanka
Tri Series Winner in Australia in 2008
IPL Winner x 2 (2010 and 2011) and 3 IPL finalists (2008, 2012, 2013)
CL T20 Winner 2010
Led India to number 1 in ODI rankings in 2013
Won 3 home test series vs Australia by 2-0 in 2008, 2-0 in 2010, 4-0 in 2013
Whitewashed England 5-0 at home in 2011 in 5 ODIs
Most test wins by an India Captain




FAILURES

Lost 8 consecutive overseas test matches in 2011/12
Failed to reach the semis in the last 3 ICC World T20s 2009-2012
Lost a home test series against England in 2012
Failed to win 3 home T20 2 match series in 2012 vs NZ, Eng and Pak
Failed to reach Asia Cup final in 2012 in Bangladesh
Failed to reach tri series final in 2012 in Australia
Lost an ODI series against Pakistan at home 2012/13
Lost an ODI series against England 3-0 in 2011 in England

Before Champions Trophy Final

Wasim Akram's Commentary Experience

2004 ICC Champions Trophy in England
2009 ICC Womens World Cup in Australia
2009 ICC World T20 in England
2009 ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa
2010 ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand
2011 ICC World Cup in Asia
2011 India in England 
2011/12 India in Australia
2012 ICC Under 19 World Cup in Australia
2012 ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka
2012/13 India vs Pakistan limited over resumption series in India
2013 ICC Women's World Cup in India 
2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England
2013 Champions League T20 in India

CLT20 2013 Squads

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Dinesh Karthik, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ambati Rayudu, Aditya Tare, Rishi Dhawan, Abu Nechim, Akshar Patel, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell

Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, M Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Imtiaz Ahmed, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohit Sharma, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Jason Holder, Faf du Plessis, Chris Morris

Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Sanju Samson, Ashok Menaria, Dishant Yagnik, Vikramjeet Malik, Rahul Shukla, Pravin Tambe, Siddharth Trivedi, Shane Watson, Brad Hodge, James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Shaun Tait

Brisbane Heat: Joe Burns, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest, Dom Michael, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Matthew Gale, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Cameron Gannon, Alex Kemp, Kemar Roach, Chris Sabburg

Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Ashton Turner, Liam Davis, Brad Hogg, Burt Cockley, Simon Katich, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Alfonso Thomas, Tom Triffitt, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman

Titans: Jacques Rudolph, Henry Davids, AB de Villiers, Farhaan Behardien, Heino Kuhn, David Wiese, Eden Links, Ethy Mbhalati, Rowan Richards, Mangaliso Mosehle, CJ de Villiers, Graeme van Buuren, Morne Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange

Highveld Lions: Temba Bavuma, Gulam Bodi, Quinton De Kock, Neil McKenzie, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Ethan O'Reilly, Hardus Viljoen, Rassie van der Dussen, Alviro Petersen, Aaron Phangiso, Dwaine Pretorius, Jean Symes, Imran Tahir, Sohail Tanvir, Thami Tsolekile

Trinidad & Tobago: Denesh Ramdin, Rayad Emrit, Jason Mohammed, Nicolas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Evin Lewis, Samuel Badree, Navin Stewart, Shannon Gabriel, Yannick Ottley, Adrian Barath, Sherwin Ganga, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Bravo

Faisalabad Wolves: Misbah-ul-Haq, Asif Ali, Ali Waqas, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Salman, Waqas Maqsood, Samiullah Khan, Asad Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Ehsan Adil, Hasan Mahmood, Jahandad Khan, Farrukh Shehzad, Imran Khalid, Ammar Mahmood

Otago Volts: Nick Beard, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Iain Butler, Mark Craig, Derek de Boorder, Jacob Duffy, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Jimmy Neesham, Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Ryan ten Doeschate, Neil Wagner

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, Parthiv Patel, Cameron White, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Darren Sammy, Biplab Samantray, Thisara Perera, Karan Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Ashish Reddy, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Anand Rajan, TBC

Kandurata Maroons: Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Upul Tharanga, Thilina Kandamby, Kumar Sangakkara, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamara Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Dhammika Prasad, Ajantha Mendis, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Lahiru Jayaratne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Suraj Randiv

ICC Events From 2014-2013

ICC World Cup

2015 = Australia and New Zealand
2019 = England

ICC Under 19 World Cup

2014 = UAE
2016 = Bangladesh
2018 = New Zealand
2020 = South Africa
2022 = West Indies

ICC Champions Trophy

Scrapped for good

ICC Test Championship

2017 = England
2021 = India

ICC World T20

2014 = Bangladesh
2016 = India
2020 = Australia

Women's World Cup

2017 = England
2021 = New Zealand

Women's ICC World T20

2014 = Bangladesh
2016 = India
2018 = West Indies
2020 = Australia
2022 = South Africa

World Cup Qualifier

2018 = Bangladesh
2022 = Zimbabwe

World T20 Qualifier

2016 World T20 Qualifier - To be played in Ireland & Scotland in 2015
2020 ICC World T20 Qualifier - TBD