Calm and composed Misbah draws praise after Pak win over SA

There were calls to sack him not so long back but under-fire Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has found admirers in a matter of just one Test win with former players such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis lauding him for guiding the team to victory over world number one South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
Misbah, whose captaincy was described as "stale" by former captain and commentator Rameez Raja last month after Pakistan were upset by Zimbabwe in Harare, has now been termed essential for the national team which beat South Africa in the first Test.
Rameez had demanded a new captain after Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe while other former players, critics and fans also dubbed Misbah's leadership as defensive and his batting as slow.

But after Misbah scored a hundred and led the side to a clinical win over South Africa, the general consensus was that he is an essential part of the team.
"I have said it many times that not only as captain but even as just a player you need Misbah in the team. Take away his calm influence in the middle order and what do we have," Wasim told Geo News channel.
The former fast bowling great said Misbah's biggest asset was that even at 39 he was hungry for runs and leading by example.
"Pakistan deserve lot of credit for the way they came back after losing to Zimbabwe. I thought the win in Abu Dhabi was very clinical because the plans were executed well. For a change it was good to see the batsmen including the openers trying to occupy the crease," he said.