Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has shared an entertaining story that played out behind-the-scenes after his record-equalling fastest Test century, including a humorous phone call from batting legend Saeed Anwar that left him smiling.
Speaking about the innings, the 51-year-old recalled that his motivation that day had a personal edge to it. Steve Smith had dismissed him twice before, and Misbah had made up his mind to settle the score. “Steve Smith had gotten me out twice. I had the question in my mind, why did I get out to him? When he comes at me in the next match, I will even things out,” he said.
Things did not go entirely to plan at first. “He got me out in that match too, but Peter Siddle dropped the catch,” Misbah recalled. With a second life at the crease and Smith bowling, Misbah went on the attack. “When I went in to bat, Smith was bowling. I had runs to make, I started hitting, and a record was made of which I had no idea,” he said.
It was Saeed Anwar who broke the news to him. “I remember that after the record was set, Saeed Anwar called and said congratulations, I have found out that you have equalled Viv Richards’ record,” Misbah recalled.
Anwar could not resist adding a lighthearted dig. “Saeed Bhai jokingly said, ‘My faith in cricket is completely gone. Today I have truly accepted that cricket is a game of chance, because you have gone and equalled Viv Richards’ record,’” Misbah narrated, laughing at the memory.
“I started smiling at what Saeed Anwar said and told him that he was absolutely right,” he added.
In 2014, Misbahul Haq equalled the 28-year-old record for the fastest Test century, hitting one off just 56 balls on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi.
