(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Moeen Ali Names Misbah-ul-Haq as His Toughest Opponent
England’s Moeen Ali, regarded as one of the country’s most successful all-rounders, has revealed the batsman who tested his bowling skills more than anyone else—and it wasn’t Virat Kohli or Steve Smith.
Speaking on his podcast Beard Before Wicket, Moeen Ali shared that Pakistan’s former captain Misbah-ul-Haq was the most challenging batter he ever bowled to. The revelation has sparked interest among cricket fans, especially in Pakistan.
Recalling his early encounters, Moeen explained that Misbah’s strength was not raw power but his calm and calculated approach. “There are many great players I bowled at, but the one who really made me feel pressure was Misbah-ul-Haq,” Moeen said. “I was quite inexperienced at the time, and the first two balls I bowled to him, he reverse-swept me in different directions.”
Moeen further added that Misbah always stayed one step ahead. If fielders were placed to stop the reverse sweep, he would switch to a conventional sweep. When the field shifted to block both, Misbah would simply play a straight drive down the ground, leaving the bowler with few options.
This ability to read the game and manipulate field settings left a lasting impression on Moeen, helping him grow as a bowler and as an all-rounder. Over the course of his career, Moeen took 45 wickets against Pakistan, including dismissing Misbah once.
Misbah-ul-Haq, who retired as Pakistan’s most successful Test captain, continues to be remembered for his tactical brilliance. Moeen Ali’s tribute adds another dimension to his legacy, showing how Misbah’s patience and sharp cricketing mind made him a difficult opponent even for world-class bowlers.
