Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq is a former Pakistani cricketer and captain who rebuilt the national team after the dark years of spot-fixing, and who holds the record for the fastest century in Test history. Born on 28 May 1974 in Mianwali, he was a late bloomer who made his Test debut in 2001 but did not become a regular until his thirties.

Career

Misbah's defining moment came in 2014 when he smashed a century off just 56 balls against Australia — the fastest in Test cricket history. He scored 5,222 Test runs at an average of 46 and was named captain in 2010 in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal, restoring stability and integrity to a team in crisis.

Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket in 2016 — a historic achievement — and won series in England, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. His calm, analytical approach earned him the nickname "Professor". He retired in 2017 and later served as Pakistan's head coach from 2019 to 2021.

Legacy

Misbah-ul-Haq is remembered for his leadership during Pakistan's most difficult period and for making the Test side the country's pride. He remains a respected analyst and mentor in the game.