When the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed the reins to Misbah, I was deeply sceptical. Pakistan cricket was in a slump, caught in a mire of inconsistency, and in my view, they needed a leader with an indomitable spirit to rally them. Misbah, at that time, did not appear to fit the bill. I feared his approach would drain the spark from a team that thrives on emotional highs. Yet, with the benefit of hindsight, I have realized that my initial assessment was shortsighted - misjudging leadership based on appearances alone is a common, albeit regrettable, mistake.
Leadership Beyond
Appearance: Still Waters Run Deep
Misbah-ul-Haq’s tenure as captain gradually revealed that leadership comes in many forms. It became clear that his seemingly reserved demeanour concealed a deeper strength - one rooted not in theatrics but in consistency, discipline, and composure. In hindsight, his appointment was precisely what Pakistan cricket needed during a turbulent period. A volatile team calls for stability, and Misbah, in his quiet and unassuming way, provided just that. His captaincy embodied the proverb: “Still waters run deep.”
Beneath the calm exterior was a man resolute in his mission to rebuild the team, and his leadership became the balm that soothed a historically fractious dressing room.
Misbah was not just a captain but a "man-manager" par excellence. He succeeded in cultivating a harmonious environment in a team notorious for internal strife. Keeping such a diverse and emotionally charged group united is no small feat, especially when expectations are perpetually high. Misbah's ability to maintain order and foster unity behind closed doors deserves recognition. His leadership may not have fit the traditional mould of Pakistani captains, but in many ways, it was a more sustainable model.
Defending the Defensive Approach
While I remain a sceptic of defensive captaincy as a philosophy, Misbah’s pragmatism proved to be precisely what the situation demanded. Pakistan’s vulnerabilities - both on and off the field - called for a captain who could prioritize consolidation over flamboyance. Misbah’s methods, though conservative, provided the team with structure, which had long been missing. Cricket, like life, sometimes demands flexibility; not every game is won with aggression, and Misbah’s more measured approach created a much-needed foundation for stability and long-term success.
Leading from the
Front: A Captain Reborn
Interestingly, the burden of captaincy did not weigh Misbah down - instead, it galvanized his own performance. His batting, though never dazzling, became a steady source of valuable runs at crucial moments. In Test cricket, where patience and resilience often trump flair, Misbah's methodical accumulation proved invaluable. By leading from the front with the bat, he inspired his teammates, showing that leadership is about setting an example, not just issuing directives.
In retrospect, I was mistaken in doubting Misbah’s capability to lead. His tenure demonstrated that leadership is not merely about charisma or aggression; it is about knowing when to be firm, when to be flexible, and, most importantly, how to instil belief in those you lead. Pakistan cricket, under Misbah, found a new resolve—a mental clarity that had long been elusive.
Misbah’s Legacy
Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy serves as a lesson in the deceptive nature of appearances and the importance of adaptive leadership. His approach may not have aligned with traditional expectations, but it was precisely what Pakistan cricket required at that moment in history. Misbah brought stability, cohesion, and professionalism to a team that had often lacked these qualities. And though his tenure might not have been defined by flamboyant tactics, it left a lasting impact - both on the scoreboard and in the spirit of the players he led.
In the end, I don’t mind admitting I was wrong. Misbah proved that true leadership is not about conforming to expectations but about understanding what your team needs - and delivering exactly that. His story reminds us that leaders are not born from archetypes; they are forged in moments of crisis. And for Pakistan cricket, Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy was a moment of quiet triumph.