Pakistan Cricket Board requests Misbah-ul-Haq to continue as Test skipper until 2018

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to continue in his post until 2018. The 42-year-old who is the country's most successful captain in the longer format of the game has not commented on his future, even as there has been talk that he would retire post Pakistan's tour of Australia early next year.

Misbah has captained has captained Pakistan since 2010, but missed the recently concluded second Test match against New Zealand in Hamilton due to illness and the subsequent demise of his father-in-law. He was sorely missed by the team who lost the game by 138 runs, which was the first series loss in over two years.

"Though Misbah is independent to decide about his future, the PCB has suggested him to continue till 2018. Because of his excellent fitness, Misbah can easily play international cricket for a few more years. Besides, he is calm, well-educated, calculative and balanced and enjoys a lot of respect in the team", said PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan as quoted by Dawn.

"We have a couple of names in our minds regarding who would lead the side after Misbah's retirement but we need to analyse them in detail before taking any decision. Both Azhar and Sarfraz Ahmed are good choices but the former's batting suffers whenever he leads the side. All-rounder Imad Wasim can also be a candidate as he has impressed the PCB with his ability of handling pressure at crucial stages of matches."

Misbah has so far played 69 Test matches and scored 4,875 runs at an average of 47.17 with 10 centuries to his name. He has led Pakistan in 50 matches, winning 24, losing 15 and drawing 11 with a win per cent of 48. Among active captains only Alastair Cook with 57 games has led his country in more Test matches than Misbah.