Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq feels his nomination for the ICC Cricketer of the Year award is the perfect answer to all his critics.
The 37-year-old who was given the captaincy after Shahid Afridi’s retirement said that the nomination had come at the right time in his career.
"It is satisfying to know that all your hard work does eventually payoff and is recognized," Misbah said.
"Although it's just a nomination, it still boosts your confidence and inducts new energy in you," he told daily newspaper Express Tribune.
"It's a positive sign as it also drives you to strive harder, to improve on your current show and reach further.
"As far as the criticism is concerned, I think this is an ongoing practice by some individuals and analysts who a player should not be afraid of. Hard work is the simple reply to all sorts of criticism."
While Misbah is his country's lone representative for the Cricketer of the Year Award, youngsters Azhar Ali, Adnan Akmal and Wahab Raiz have been shortlisted for the Emerging Player of the Year category.
Other Pakistan cricketers to have been nominated are Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal for the One-Day International (ODI) Player of the Year Award.
 |
                                                                                           |
 |