Misbah ul Haq

The story of Team Misbah in 9 GIFs

By Ammar Ashraf

In 2010, Misbah ul Haq inherited a team decimated by the spot-fixing scandal, and in six years took it to the top of the cricket world, as Test no. 1. A story this good can’t be ignored by anyone, and soon Hollywood and the rest of them were lining up to tell it. @AmmarAshraf visited various capitals of pop culture to collect these GIFs telling the story of #TeamMisbah.

1. The journey began with a backs-to-the-wall set of Tests against South Africa, as Pakistan held out for a draw.

In a glimpse of what was to come, Misbah and Younis Khan were the ones to defy the Proteas, and start a beautiful middle order friendship.

2. The next big moment came against England.

Saeed Ajmal reigned supreme as Pakistan’s bowlers scripted an epic whitewash of the world’s no.1 side.

3. In 2014, Sri Lanka came closest to giving #TeamMisbah a first ‘home’ series defeat, but then an epic chase in Sharjah brought victory from the death.

Azhar Ali threw away his usual shackles to lead the superb win, and prevent Pakistan’s proud record from being buried in the sands.

4. Later that year, #TeamMisbah avenged over two decades of hurt by thrashing Australia 2-0.

Many people had doubted Younis Khan’s credentials before this series, but he had a way of getting everyone to shut up, for good.

5. Indeed, YK soon saw his golden run lead him to becoming the top run scorer in Pakistani test history.

6. Yeah the haters didn’t like that, but YK don’t care.

7. As the Kiwis drew and then England were thrashed too, teams soon became terrified of visiting #TeamMisbah’s fortress in the UAE.

8. But it wasn’t about home dominance only.

Yasir Shah was instrumental as Pakistan held England to a 2-2 draw in England, and soon the leggie became the second fastest bowler to 100 wickets in test history. Now where were those who said he wasn’t a proper bowler?

9. And so, thanks to a great team ethos, superb tactics and some rain in West Indies, Misbah and his men were world no.1!

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