Pakistan Test team captain Misbah Ul Haq has been handed one match ban for the slow over rate during the Christchurch test against New Zealand. Misbah has been fined 40% of his match fee & the other Pakistani players has been fined 20% of their match fees. After the time allowances were taken under consideration, Misbah’s side was two overs short of it’s target of 103 overs.
Previously he was found guilty once, during the England tour. In August 2016, Misbah was found guilty during Oval test for the same offense of minor over rate. So it’s the second minor over rate offence for him in the same format which is also in a period of less than 12 month time. According to the rules, two offences in the same format of the game will see the cricketer having been fined & suspended from the immediately following game of the same format.
So it means that Pakistani skipper will miss the 2nd test match in Hamilton which is also the last match of the series. The Hamilton test will be underway from 24 November & Pakistan needs to win the game to level the series against the in form Kiwi side. Misbah would have missed it anyway because of the death of his Father-in-Law. Misbah has already left New Zealand on Sunday evening just after the short run chase of Kane Williamson’s side. Misbah scored 31 & 13 on his side’s downfall in the city of Earthquake.
The accusation was laid by on field umpire S Ravi & Ian Gould, third umpire Simon Fry & match referee Shaun Haig.
Misbah was appointed as Pakistan test team captain in 2010. After being appointed he had missed only one test before this for the very same reason. The 42 years old veteran missed a test against Sri Lanka in Gale due to a suspension for slow over rate back in 2010.
The experienced Pakistani captain is the oldest cricketer among the current players to play the longest version of the game of cricket. Misbah has appeared in 65 test matches so far for Pakistan national team. Misbah has an incredible test average of more than 48. The veteran has scored ten test centuries & 34 half centuries for his country. His highest score in the international arena of the red ball cricket is unbeaten 161. He’s also the record holder of second fastest century in test cricket which he had scored in only 56 deliveries. Pakistan is 2nd in the latest ICC test ranking just behind their rival India.
