Major blow to Pak as Misbah flies home ahead of second Kiwi Test

Pakistan, who lost the Christchurch Test against New Zealand, on Sunday suffered a major blow ahead of the as skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was forced to fly home ahead of the second Test starting on Friday.

The veteran Test skipper left for Pakistan to be with his critically ill father-in-law, who has been admitted to intensive care, reports stuff.co.nz.

Misbah received the news about his ailing father-in-law before Day Four's play of the first Test on Sunday, where his side lost to Zealand by eight wickets at the Hagley Oval.

His deputy Azhar Ali, who will now skipper the side, said it was a huge setback for the second Test at Hamilton's Seddon Park.

"He's been exceptional through the years and we'll miss him definitely. Hopefully, whoever comes into the side will take that opportunity and give us runs, also the stability in the middle," Ali said.

Misbah on Friday became the first Pakistani to play 50 matches as Test captain as the green shirts took on the Black Caps on the second day of the Christchurch Test.

The 42-year-old batsman was the top scorer in Pakistan's first innings with 31 and notched 13 in the second dig in the Christchurch Test.