Thoughts

1)

Pakistan Cricket Team are not universally that well known apart from Afridi (because of his charisma) , Ajmal (because of his mystery) and Gul (because of his part exploits at the death). Everyone knows about Michael Clarke, MS Dhoni, Cook and so on but Misbah slips under the radar as an international captain and batter. He sure benefits from this. Teams don't know much about him. They don't prepare for him. They don't do their homework on him as much. 

Consequently, he is not challenged as much. However, Sri Lanka have seen a lot of Misbah over the years and finally they have found him out and discovered a plan to trouble him. They have devised set plans to get him out. Because he is such an underrated and understated figure, perhaps teams don't challenge and prepare for him as much as they should do, even though they acknowledge and respect the importance of his wicket to the team once they see him play.

2)

Misbah has won 12 series and lost 6 series in ODIs.

However, while this sounds great.

But if you take out Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland and Afghanistan and he has won 5 and lost 6.

But.

He has beaten nine different ODI sides and beaten 4 higher ranked opposition in series under him (Sri Lanka twice in UAE and 3 match series in India and SA)

Also, many of the series he has lost have been close affairs with just a one match difference.

In multinational competitions. (where it matters)

Back to Back Asia Cup finals including an Asia Cup win.

In Champions Trophy and Champions League you cannot fault his own performance. He played his heart and soul out while others batted like headless chickens. However, as captain, although he was inspirational with his own performance and fitness levels despite being the oldest member in the team, the team were eliminated early both times.

He has proven himself as a winning captain in domestic competitions and with Pakistan "A" team and in continental trophies such as the Asia Cup. He has proven his performance on the big stage in the 2007 World Twenty20, 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. He has played his part as vice captain in the 2009 World Twenty20 and the 2011 World Cup, two successful campaigns. But I think even he will have doubts of whether he has the capacity to be a World Cup winning captain? I believe no one in Pakistan has what it takes to repeat the journey of Imran Khan. We will still be talking about our only World Cup win in 2035 just like England football fans talk about 1966.

I have read several early previews of the World Cup and everyone is writing off Pakistan and I don't blame them. The scale of the task on Misbah's hands is huge. Arguably the hardest for a Pakistan skipper going into the event. Shame that both world tournaments he will be captaining in will have been played in tough conditions. CT in England and WC down under. 

3)

Misbah at one stage:

28-2 captaincy record across all formats. - 10th February 2012

Now: 58-42 captaincy record across all formats. - 30th August 2014

Unbeaten in 16 series across all formats with 14 wins. - 10th February 2012.

Lost 10 series across all formats with 21 wins and 5 drawn. - 30th August 2014.