15 July,2016 08:34 AM IST | | AFP
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq became the oldest player to score a Test century for 82 years when he reached three figures against England at Lord's here yesterday and celebrated by performing an impressive series of press-ups
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq celebrates his century against England at Lord's in London yesterday
London: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq became the oldest player to score a Test century for 82 years when he reached three figures against England at Lord's here yesterday and celebrated by performing an impressive series of press-ups.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq celebrates his century against England at Lord's in London yesterday. Pics/Getty Images
Pakistan were 282 for six at stumps on Day One of the first Test. Misbah was 110 not after Rahat Ali was bowled by Chris Woakes off what became the last ball of the day. Warwickshire all-rounder Woakes led England's attack with four for 45. This is the first of a four-Test series.
The 42-year-old Misbah's achievement was all the more impressive as this was also his first Test at the 'home of cricket'. Not since England's Patsy Hendren made a century against Australia aged 45 at Manchester's Old Trafford ground back in 1934 had an older player scored a Test hundred.
Chris Woakes celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez yesterday. He claimed 4-45
Remarkably, this was also Misbah's first Test anywhere in England, with selection decisions having kept him out of previous tours.
Press-up celebration
It looked as if Misbah was about to celebrate his achievement by prostrating himself on the Lord's turf in prayer. But instead he performed a series of press-ups in what appeared to be a joke aimed at critics who questioned whether he is now too old for international cricket.
The gesture also looked to be a wry reference to the pre-tour 'army-style' training camp the squad were put through at the Pakistan Military Academy in the northwestern town of Kakul.
Pakistan were in trouble at 77 for three when Misbah came to the crease.
He was dropped on 16 by Joe Root, who grassed a tough slip chance off fast bowler Steven Finn. And he would have been run out for 58 after a mix-up with Asad Shafiq if Gary Ballance had hit the stumps.
Misbah was severe on off-spinner Moeen Ali, reverse and conventionally sweeping him for four fours in an over. Another reverse sweep off Ali took him to 99.
He then nearly fell to England's leg trap when he popped up a chance just in front of forward square off Finn. But a single off Finn down to third man saw Misbah to his 10th century in 62 Tests off 154 balls with 17 boundaries.
Brief scores
Pakistan 282-6 (Misbah 110', A Shafiq 73, M Hafeez 40; C Woakes 4-45, S Broad 1-44) vs England
