September 24, 2007. Pakistan chasing a target of 158 vs India in the first-ever World T20 final. With one wicket in hand, 6 runs were needed from 4 balls. Misbah-ul-Haq was batting on 43 from 37 balls and what awaited him was a shot at immortality.
Then came the moment of truth. Joginder Sharma’s ball was scooped up on the leg side with the intent to go to the boundary. A fast ball would have gone for six, a medium pace delivery would have gone for four but there was one problem. Joginder’s ball was slow and at best slow-medium. So a good shot for a decent-paced delivery was not necessary a viable option.
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That is just what happened. The ball gained height but no distance. Sreesanth settled himself underneath and took the high-pressure catch. That was it, it was over. Pakistan had lost by 5 runs and while India celebrated, Misbah was hunched on the crowd in grief as he realised he had missed out on a chance to make history.
That is just what happened. The ball gained height but no distance. Sreesanth settled himself underneath and took the high-pressure catch. That was it, it was over. Pakistan had lost by 5 runs and while India celebrated, Misbah was hunched on the crowd in grief as he realised he had missed out on a chance to make history.
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In the years to come, he has replayed the shot in his mind countless times and wondered what might have been, but that one moment cost Pakistan a chance to become the first-ever World T20 champs. While MS Dhoni’s Men in Blue celebrated, fans from across the border were down in the dumps.
2 years later Misbah was part of the side which beat Sri Lanka to win the 2nd edition. This time he was not required. But the chance of winning the inaugural World T20 title and taking your team home in the final against the traditional rivals is does not happen everyday. No doubt it hurts to this day.
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Misbah was a late bloomer, making his debut after crossing the age of 25 and then struggled to maintain a place in the side. But he did finish with an impressive record across formats. However that one moment in his career is something he would have loved to change if he could go back.
Now he is Pakistan’s coach and the experience he carries is valuable. Fans wish he had showed that in the World T20 final vs India, but no use crying over spilled milk. But after over a decade, it certainly still stings.