Misbah-ul-Haq
When he was handed over the captaincy in 2011, Pakistan was already facing a terrible existentialist crisis. Religious extremists were bombing mosques, shrines and schools and slaughtering civilians, cops and soldiers.
Pakistan was on the brink of a civil war that today has become a forgone reality, as the government, the military and the country's ravaged polity prepares for an all-out war with the extremist insurgents in the country's mountains and cities.
Misbah's captaincy is also unique because he has never led the Pakistan team in Pakistan. No foreign team has been willing to tour the country ever since extremists attacked the Sri Lankan squad in Lahore in 2009.
All of Misbah's games as captain have been played, won, lost and drawn on foreign soil. Teams have to do well outside of their own countries, on foreign tours and in front of foreign crowds, to fully prove their prowess. That's what the Pakistan team has been doing ever since 2009, especially after Misbah took up the captaincy in 2011.
When Misbah was handed over the captaincy, he was making his third comeback to the side at the age of 36. He had made his debut for the national squad in 2001, but lost his place after losing form in 2002.
