Tough for someone to replace me in Australia: Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan Test skipper, has conceded that the selectors will find it hard to replace him in the playing eleven for the Australia series later this year if he decides to call time on his career following the ongoing series against England. Speaking to the media on Wednesday (August 10) ahead of the fourth and final Test at The Oval, Misbah also revealed his intentions to focus solely on the task in hand and not take a call on his future immediately.


"It's really difficult for me to leave the team on these difficult tours," Misbah said. "That's why I'm here on this tough series. I'll be looking forward to that [Australia tour], but let's see how it goes after this series, and how I plan my future. That could be really hard for someone young - even as a batsman to replace me in Australian conditions - and obviously it would be a challenge for a young captain.

"I will keep trying throughout this Test and if Pakistan needs me afterwards, that's another point. I will think about that after the series but for the moment this is important for me and the Pakistan team. I will just go about this Test match."

Despite winning the first Test at Lord's, Pakistan find themselves in a must-win situation after losing the second and third Tests. While Misbah admits that the home side will be having momentum on their side, he is still confident of turning things around in order to square the series. "Yes, of course, it is a crucial Test for us," he said. "A win will square the series and it will be really good for morale, also for the team, and it is very important for me also.

"Obviously they have the momentum in their own conditions, they are confident but we believe we can come back from any position because this is a do or die Test match for us so we have to really play well."

The 42-year-old also insisted that he will be looking at this Test as a challenge and play without fearing failure. "I don't have that sort of fear otherwise I would have retired long ago," he said. "I am always up for challenges and never thought of the results. I believe in just looking at the challenges and trying hard."
Alastair Cook, the England Test skipper, on the other hand chose to remain coy on his captaincy future.
Even though he admitted to enjoying his tenure, the 31-year-old will hold discussions with coach Trevor Bayliss and director of cricket Andrew Strauss after the conclusion of the final Test.

"At the end of every series, I'll sit down with Trevor Bayliss and Andrew Strauss and discuss the future of the side and where we want to go," Cook said. "We'll discuss whether I am still the right captain for this team or if it is time to move on after this series or after India. We always now talk about that for my sanity as well. At the moment I'm enjoying it. The dressing room seems to be in a good place. It's the most comfortable I've felt captaining a side.

"The last year or so I've really felt comfortable in the captaincy role and everything it brings with it on and off the field. I am really enjoying it and all those hard moments I've had - obviously they're not gone - but in one sense, it would seem wrong to give it up quite yet."

Cook is already looking ahead to tougher challenges this winter in the subcontinent where England are scheduled to play Bangladesh and India. The last time England toured India in 2012, he led his side to a series win after 28 years. "We've some tough challenges ahead," Cook said. "We've these five days and then seven straight Tests in the sub-continent - 11 weeks away - so I think we're going to need some strong leadership. It's going to be a really tough tour for a lot of people. We've got to be on it as a group."

The skipper also echoed James Anderson's thoughts on the current side being 'more talented' than the one that was crowned World No.1 in 2011 when asked about the prospect of England regaining the top spot post the final Test. "It would be a great achievement and one you can be very proud of when you finish playing cricket," he said. "But, as I keep saying, there's still questions that need to be answered. We're not at the level we were in 2012. Then everyone had played 30 or 40 Test matches at the very least.

"This is a more talented team. There are people who can turn a game in a session. The team in 2011-12 was a very consistent, hard-nosed team that was very hard to beat. We've got a way to go to that level, but as you saw with some of the brilliance of Ben Stokes, getting a hundred in a session - that kind of stuff is what's very exciting about this team."