Even though Pakistan were once again off to a sketchy start after losing two early wickets, Misbah, it seemed, was there to steady the innings. But, in the end, he only flattered to deceive, after providing illusions of a fighting total.
Arguably one of the more dependable batsmen in the team, Misbah did what he does best: provide stability to a collapsing batting. Pakistan had hoped to put up a formidable total to dominate Australia when they come out to chase but the hopes were shattered as Misbah departed for just 34 runs off 59 balls.
And Pakistan's efforts to put some weight in the final few overs of the innings to keep this match alive seem to have faded after yet another collapse which saw the team get all out for 213. What this means is that the chances of getting to see Misbah play another game are now bleaker than at the beginning of this match. Even though cricket is considered a game of glorious uncertainties, the Pakistani bowling and fielding haven't been the best in this tournament to trouble Aussies enough.
While many poked humour at batsmen who fell like a house of cards, others also acknowledged that the only silver lining to the dark cloud for Pakistan is the recognition and respect that Misbah has come to command for his dogged contributions to the troubled line-up.
Here's a quick selection of tweets.
Girl : I love you Misbah Ul Haq : I am sorry, but I like to take things slow #AUSvPAK
— Mohit (@HaramiParindey) March 20, 2015
Pakistani Players in dressing room now... #PackingStart #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/YFaHlORP7m
— Paresh Rawal (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) March 20, 2015
Pakistan has won the toss and decided to get embarassed by Damien Fleming asking about their decision in English #AusvPak
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 20, 2015
So Pak has won the toss and decided to lose by wickets. #PakvsAus
— Faking News (@fakingnews) March 20, 2015
'I'm looking forward at coming in at 3/15, making a steady 56 off 78 and then being blamed for the loss' #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/CSfYOmzG0E
— Dennis Does Cricket (@DennisCricket_) March 20, 2015
Pakistan just one win away from being packed by India out of the World Cup again! #INDvsPak #AUSvPAK
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) March 19, 2015
Me, trying to take all these emotions in. #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/TjX8S4cAUZ
— Zain (@ZainTaufique) March 20, 2015
When Misbah gets out #PakvsAus pic.twitter.com/uEic0ZAL7G
— Moochar (@AsliBinLaden) March 20, 2015
Misbah-ul-haq's entire life. #PakvsAus pic.twitter.com/tLjWbxRvZk
— RPC (@RantsPakistani) March 20, 2015
Australians celebrating Misbah's wicket. (ignore the Canadian flag, you nit-picker) pic.twitter.com/OI4Yqd7kZh
— Adarsh LibeRatty (@YearOfRat) March 20, 2015
Misbah feels like the parent of the failing kid at a parent-teacher meeting.
— karachikhatmal (@karachikhatmal) March 20, 2015
Chances are that tomorrow will be #Misbah's last ODI game. That's sad. But on the plus side, it will also be Afridi's. Thank the gods.
— Mutazalzaluzzaman T (@M_Tarar) March 19, 2015
Misbah's blamed for batting & not batting at 4, remaining unbeaten & getting out, batting slow & fast...next--blame him for global warming!
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 17, 2015
By the time we reach the final Misbah will open the bowling. And batting. And also keep. And Shoaib Akhtar will still blame him
— Sidvee (@sidvee) March 17, 2015
Exclusive list of Misbah's ODI centurys . #PAKvsIRE pic.twitter.com/96XiAbDXBl
— Mayanti Langer Binny (@SirStuartBinny) March 15, 2015
Breaking: Misbah ul Haq & AB Devilliers to join Dhoni chasing classes #INDvsZIM
— Sunil (@akshaykanitkar) March 14, 2015
"@iMoizKhan Pakistan batting line-up Dhoka nhi dega Allah de hawale Misbah Allah de hawale Allah de hawale Allah de hawale Allah de hawale"
— Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) March 20, 2015
Afridi's batting makes Pakistan's foreign policy look responsible.
— sumit roy (@sumit_roy_) March 20, 2015
Misbah to Umar Akmal as he backs!! #PakvsAus #AUSvPAK #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/JOEJ0M7ncv
— Shoaib Akhtar (@ShoaibAkhtarPk) March 20, 2015
Tense match for Pakistan. All suicide bombers in Karachi & Peshawar have reportedly applied for sick leaves to watch #AUSvPAK.
— Roflindian 2.0 (@Roflindian) March 19, 2015
Shame Australia! It's almost one hour and the Pakistani team is not yet all out #AUSvPAK
— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) March 20, 2015
Watching match and be like.. #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/es0nO670sG
— Senator Baji. (@GhazalaBaji) March 20, 2015