A OPEN LETTER TO MISBAH BY HIS FAN

Dear Misbah, 

Firstly I'd like to start by saying your a Test legend. A man that came to our rescue when three cheats had turmoiled the name of Pakistan, let alone the cricket team. People were calling for Pakistan to be expelled from International cricket. From the draw against South Africa till the white-washing of the number one Test side in the World; you have restored the pride into Pakistan cricket. 

Moving onto the limited overs and where do I start? The 2007 cricket World T20 Cup, saw your return to the International fold. You was installed on the request of, then captain, Shoaib Malik. People seem to have forgot that the trust paid into you by Malik was repaid by you. You ended the tournament as Pakistan's top run-getter. Whilst the rest of the batting folded like a pack of cards, you stood tall in the final and took Pakisan perilously close against the arch-rivals. All that was ever remembered was THAT shot. 

Move onto 2011 and Mohali against India again. You played a dreadful knock. What was you thinking? So what if the Pakistan batters were showing they're expertise in getting out around you? You came to the crease at the fall of Asad Shafiq and soon saw Younis Khan fall. Pakistan were four down, and struggling. Again selfishly you batted to maintain wickets. The rest of the batters showed they're might, but why did you bat like that? If you got 10 from 5 and gave it away, no-one would have noticed and you wouldn't have became villain for the second time. 

Yes in 2012, you won a Test series that will go in history as one of, if not the greatest victory in Pakistan's history. But you lost the ODI's four nil. How could you, Misbah? And the last T20, what was that? With your match winning partnership with Malik, in the opening game, firmly forgotten, again you play the bad villain. Again the knock played by the glamourous Umar Akmal dying in the memory bank; it's all Misbah's fault again. So what if Akmal coudn't touch the ball, so what if Mohammad Hafeez got a golden duck, again you stayed until the end and was firmly to blame. 

Again the blame game has started. I personally, am someone who loves to debate, but as-long as it's constructive. Constructive criticism is a person's right and should be accepted. Even I was stunned by the defeat yesterday, you played a part but for the blame to entirely fall on one man? That's diabolical. 

As diabolical as is personal abuse. When people get uptight and personal it's not on. Somewhere it has to stop; swearing, hoping someone dies and prayers for bad-luck are some of the things I read since yesterday. Truly shocking, as was the remarks about you wanting Malik back to repay his favour from 2007. Talking of Malik, he hasn't escaped the wrath either nor has his wife. What has she got to do with any of this?

With regret, I have to say it's time to go Misbah. There is no point trying to keep carrying on amongst what has happened and what will happen. The so-called fans of Pakistan cricket have made their stance, and it will not change. You will always be hated by them, no matter what you do. Is it worth carrying on and all you get is abuse back? So what if you have done more for Pakistan cricket than most of them can even dream about? At the end of the day, it's only cricket, a sport, a profession; and nothing in life comes ahead of dignity. 

Your's truly; 
A Pakistan cricket fan.