The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left it up to Misbah-ul-Haq to decide whether he will lead Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup, at the same time quelling speculation that Misbah was pushed into stepping down from the side for the third and final ODI against Australia in Abu Dhabi.
Misbah was publicly assured of the ODI captaincy until the World Cup just last month. But late on Saturday evening, after he had overseen a series loss to Australia, Misbah took the decision to step away from the side for the final, dead rubber game in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
That immediately sparked speculation that his own poor form and increasing criticism of his leadership, as well as unhappiness within the team, had forced him into what may be a permanent decision. Shahid Afridi took over the captaincy on Sunday.
But speaking to The National, the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that Misbah had come under no pressure to step aside and that he would, if he chooses, remain the one-day captain into the World Cup.
“Misbah-ul-Haq decided that he needed a break from the rather depressing scores he has had in Sri Lanka as well as here,” Shaharyar said. “The management also agreed that if he wants to sit this out, it is his own decision. No one coerced him into doing this. He himself decided that this is the right time for him to take a break and see if he can recover in the Tests.”
Misbah was said by close observers to have been increasingly disappointed with a lack of support from within the team structure. Though there is no suggestion that Afridi has played a part in his stepping down, the pair have inadvertently competed for the leadership of the 50-over side from early 2011.
Having taken over the Test captaincy in late 2010, Misbah was in the running to become ODI captain as well running into the 2011 World Cup. The PCB stuck with Afridi, however, and he took Pakistan to the semi-finals of that tournament.
But once he was removed in May that year, following a public falling out with coach Waqar Younis, Misbah took over and had held the position through 75 matches.
Despite building up a winning record of 39 wins and 33 losses in that period, criticism has never been far.
Additionally, Afridi’s popularity as a player and a perceived aggression that is contrasted with Misbah’s more defensive style has skewed the debate.
But the absence of Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal from the current XI has also played a role. Both have been staunch allies of Misbah and without them, it is said that he had begun to feel isolated. The form that Shaharyar referred to has not been great: in his last five ODIs he has just 82 runs, including a first-ball dismissal in the first ODI against Australia in Sharjah.
Only last year though he was the world’s leading ODI run-scorer with 1,373 runs. It is that form which has allowed the PCB to back him even at this point.
“Naturally he is a human being and he is depressed at the fact that he hasn’t been scoring and when you don’t score and you’re skipper, the whole team suffers,” said Shaharyar, who had a half hour discussion with Misbah.
“What I found very noble on his part is that he said if the day I get an idea that the team is suffering because of me, then I will say myself, let me go. But I have hope right now that I can recover from this, and show my mettle.
“I or management have not influenced Misbah to step down, he has done it on his own, he is determined to return. He says if I am back to form I would like to lead in the World Cup.
“I told him, we appointed you till the World Cup. We were criticized for it and we will be now even more as he has not scored runs. But we remain totally firm behind you that he will lead. If you yourself think your leadership will not deliver, then it is up to you. We will not push you out.
“This is the view of all three of us – Waqar and Moin [Khan, chief selector and manager], and I have told Misbah this. Waqar and Moin are agreed on this. He is determined to put things right and if he does he is back.”
Other names have been considered as contingency, Shaharyar added, but said the decision will be left to Misbah.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE and Osman Samiuddin @OsmanSamiuddin
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
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Company%20profile
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Specs
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Mobile phone packages comparison
65
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.