Misbah says playing in World Cup 2011 will be ‘a dream come true’ for him
By ANIFriday, January 28, 2011
ISLAMABAD - Veteran Pakistani batsman Misbah-ul Haq, who is in the fray to lead Pakistan in next month’s World Cup, has said playing in the mega event will be a dream come true for him.
36-year-old Misbah, who has never played in the ICC World Cup so far, said that taking part in the tournament was a dream for every cricketer.
“It’s an absolute honour for any professional cricketer to play in a World Cup. It’s the unquestionable pinnacle for any cricketer and I can’t wait for the tournament to start,” The Nation quoted Misbah, as telling a website.
Critics and former cricketers are of the view that Misbah is breathing down one-day captain Shahid Afridi’s neck with some solid performances in the recent Test series, and many want him to replace Afridi as skipper for the World Cup, which starts from February 19.
The right-hand batsman said he was fully prepared and ready to take part in the World Cup.
“The rest is up to the team management. If they feel that I have a role in the side and they think that I can contribute, then I will certainly not let anyone down,” Misbah added.
The senior batsman’s form in recent series has been superb, as he has scored half centuries in all of his last six Test innings and backed that up with a 50 in a low scoring first one-day international at Wellington as well, when Pakistan was bowled out for just 124 runs under Afridi’s captaincy.
“It’s always been my heartfelt wish to play in a 50 over World Cup and I am certain that I can perform well during the upcoming tournament,” Misbah maintained.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Australia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Canada, and start their campaign against Kenya on February 23 in Hambantota. (ANI)
