By Sarang Aamir
The oldest written story we have, the Mesopotamian myth ‘Enuma Elish’, tells the story of the creation of the world. It talks of two primordial entities, Apsu and Tiamat; order and chaos. The union between the two resulted in the birth of the younger gods, who later murder Apsu in order to usurp his lordship of the universe. Enraged at the loss of Apsu, Tiamat (the dragon of chaos) awakes from her slumber and makes war on her treacherous children, who are powerless against such an entity. The gods gathered together to find one god who could defeat Tiamat. Their call is answered by Marduk, who in return is promised the title and power of head god. Marduk proceeds to battle with Tiamat and after slaying her, uses her corpse to create the heavens and the earth. Marduk is hence known as ‘GIBIL’, he who creates artful works as a result of the battle with the dragon of chaos.
A classic story at the heart of it, isn’t there? One of the most important and repeated stories in the history of mankind. Something most people have heard of in one form or the other; the man who willingly faces the beast in order to attain the treasure it protects, the mythological hero.
It is 2010. Word gets out that three players have been linked with a bookie and charges of spot fixing follow. The players are tried in court, they are convicted, they are banned. The world is angry, and rightfully so. We have been disgraced, dishonoured, and sullied. The captain of the team is among the three, the other two are possibly the best players in the country. We have no one to lead us, no targets to aim at, and no spirit to raise. We are falling into a bottomless pit; unyielding, unforgiving, and nonsensical. The dragon of chaos is upon us and we have not a saviour. Hope is fleeting, PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt picks up the phone and calls the one person no one expects. It is the same person whose career up till now has been smeared with failure; the failure to live up to expectations, the failure to win a World Cup final. A trier? Yes. Successful? No. But it has been decided, no matter what the people think, Misbah-Ul-Haq is the chosen one.
It is 2012. England tours the UAE for a three match tour. The number one side in the world. The same team that easily brushed us aside in 2010. Misbah’s Pakistan responds with a 3-0 whitewash. The country is ecstatic. It is surreal, it is bizarre, but in the face of all of it, stands Misbah.
It is 2015. The Australians are touring now. The mighty Australians ever so blonde and defiant. The inevitable adversary; terrifying, unrelenting and ferocious. But by now Misbah’s Pakistan have grown sharp teeth, ready as they will ever be. They have already been defeated in the first match of the series, but they seek a comeback. They do not know who stands in their way. 3-152 and out walks Misbah, full of intent. What happens next is one for the record books. Misbah walks off the field at 101* and equals Sir Viv’s record for fastest ever century.
2016 now. Misbah’s Pakistan faces its toughest challenge yet, back to the country where it all began, back to England. It is the first match, at the home of cricket; Lords Cricket Ground. Misbah is 42 playing his first match in the country, older than any other player in both teams, older than any other captain to have scored a century. First innings, 3-77 and Misbah comes to the crease. They’re in trouble early, England can sniff a collapse. 199 deliveries later, he has his name on the Lords Honour Board; Misbah-ul-Haq, centurion at Lords. They win the match and draw the series 2-2. It is their crowning achievement, they are now the number 1 team in the world.
It’s March 2017 presently, almost 7 years since he took over and not far away from his inevitable goodbye. A lot can change in 7 years. A lot HAS changed in 7 years. From being an average test side to number one in the rankings, from being forced to play all home tours in a neutral country to turning that adopted home into an unconquerable fortress, from the dishonoured, dismal, and tarnished Pakistan of the Spot-Fixing scandal to the folk legend that is Misbah’s Pakistan. 10 series victories, more than any previous (Pakistani) captain, most matches as captain, most wins as captain, most runs as captain. He has grabbed this team by the scruff of the neck from the depths of the underworld and constructed an undying legacy. Misbah-ul-Haq, the creator of ingenious things as a result of the battle with chaos, the mythological hero.
