Misbah announces retirement from international cricket

LAHORE (92 News) – Pakistan Test cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq has on Thursday announced retirement from international cricket after the three-Test series against West Indies, which starts from April 21.

Misbah made the announcement at a press conference in Lahore on Thursday, finally bringing to a close a long-running saga over his future.

Misbah, who was named as one of Wisden's prestigious Five Cricketers of the Year on Wednesday, had been under scrutiny after a string of recent Test losses and a dip in form.

Pakistan suffered six consecutive Test defeats, and lost away series in New Zealand and Australia by 2-0 and 3-0 margins respectively. While Misbah played only one Test on the New Zealand tour, scoring 44, in Australia he managed 76 in three Tests at an average of 12.66. He had retired from ODIs and T20Is after the 2015 World Cup.

Misbah has played 72 Test matches so far, scoring 4951 runs and is currently seventh on the list of Pakistan's highest Test run-getters. He is also Pakistan's most successful Test captain, having led the side to 24 wins in 53 matches.