January 31st 2014

Michael Clarke beat England 5-0 in home Ashes and people say he is now the best captain in the world. When he lost 4-0 in India and 3-0 in away Ashes, no one said a thing about Clarke being the best.

Dhoni was being called the best captain in the world, but has not won any of his last 11 overseas Tests and last 7 overseas ODI games.

Alastair Cook was being called a top captain when he reached Champions Trophy final and won home Ashes 3-0. Now after losing away Ashes 5-0 and ODIs 4-1, he is considered the worst.

Brendon McCullum was whitewashed in Bangladesh and now is considered one of the better captains after beating World Cup and Champions Trophy holders at home.

There is no consistency in people's views about the best captain.
The Pakistan Captain is the best proven and complete all-round captain across Tests and ODIs in current game, especially when you consider the situation and pressures he captains in and has constantly captained in. Not only the best captain, but best performing and contributing captain as a player.

Captaincy is not just what happens on the field. A lot of captaincy is what we don't see. It happens behind the scenes. This is also a factor where Misbah is praised and not tainted like other world captains. Keeping the team together, managing to command authority in the team and galvanising the team as one away from the field of play.

Misbah does not claim to be a risky captain or a gambling captain. He is a controlled and measured captain but over time he has proven every now and again that he is a flexible captain and flexible in his planning. The last Test being the best example. Just like his batting where he combines defence with attack effectively, this is the best of both worlds also in the brand of captaincy he applies when leading. Aggression is best served when it is used as a form of deception and as a surprise, not used often but saved for key moments to seize.

https://www.facebook.com/king.MUH/posts/655748304470872