I can pinpoint the exact moment I lost faith in Pakistan cricket. It was the third day of the fourth Test during the tour to England in late August 2010.

Captain Salman Butt, swing bowler Mohammad Asif, and fast bowler Mohammad Amir, were caught red-handed, or red-footed if you will, selling out their sport, and their nation, for a sum of money, in what was the most shameful and undignified chapter in the country’s cricketing history.

Having followed the sport rabidly since the late 80s, I had recovered from my share of heartbreaking cricket moments, but this was a betrayal I felt I could never return from. Just like that, I fell out of love with our cricket team.

And as if it was fate, Misbah, your era began.

While trust in the national side was lost in the blink of an eye, it did not return so easily. No, the heart took time to mend, and it only recovered due to your leadership.

Few would disagree when I say you played a pivotal role in saving Pakistan cricket.

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You led a company of warriors disillusioned by the deception of their own mates, taunted on the battleground by the opposition for having tainted their vocation, examined with suspicion at every turn, disconnected with their own forlorn supporters, and playing home games in a deserted desert foster home.

Like a forthright Paladin with a mighty shield, you slowly but surely cleansed the national team of all negative energy. Your men only responded in kind.

After standing up to the mighty South Africans during your first Test series in charge, your wards gradually regained their self-assurance, and your supporters began to believe again.

Your humble demeanour, honesty, and old-fashioned cricketing style were the elixirs the team needed.

Pakistan’s greatest Test match captain, Imran Khan, influenced his team through aggression and just a little bit of fear. You on the other hand, inspired camaraderie.

After a particularly memorable win, a former cricketer asked you how you would celebrate with your team, expecting to learn of exuberant merrymaking. You surprised him by saying that the celebrations would entail a quiet team dinner, where everyone would break bread together peacefully, while enjoying each others company engaged in friendly conversation.

This understated style of leadership was certainly a welcome change from captains who were immoral, who enjoyed biting cricket balls, and a leader who felt the middle of a cricket ground was more suitable for prayer than a dressing room.

It is no wonder you have commanded more Test match victories for Pakistan than any other skipper. While your cautious style hasn’t been optimal for limited overs cricket, it has fit the longer format like a glove.

More surprisingly, during your 43* Test matches in charge, you have drawn only 11, while Imran Khan, a reputedly more attacking leader, drew as many as 26.

Certainly, this comes down to a change in environment, where modern Test cricket is more result friendly, as well as the fact that Imran played against the hardest of opponents in their own backyards, choosing to rest himself against weaker touring teams.

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Likewise, your impressive 45 per cent win ratio still falls behind Wasim Akram’s 48 per cent and Waqar Younis’ tremendous win percentage of nearly 60.

But these legendary fast bowlers had their own match winning abilities, as well as the services of some of Pakistan’s greatest players at their disposal.

On the other hand, Misbah, the only superstars you had in your team were yourself, Younis Khan, and Saeed Ajmal.

This taken into account, as well as the state of the wounded tigers you inherited, the results you achieved are nothing short of extraordinary.

This brings me to your retirement.

Misbah, with the exception of Imran, few Pakistani legends have had the good sense to leave the game at a high, still carrying enough skill to be an automatic selection in the team. I can see why it would be very tempting to now announce your retirement, as you have hinted for some time.

It is clear you are a self-respecting man, not wanting to be a part of the playing eleven unless you feel your body and your performances are up to par. Certainly, before you were announced as captain in 2010, you had been contemplating ending your career. Here you are, five years later, close to drawing the curtain once again.

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After all you have done for us, you deserve to lay down your bat on your own terms, but if I may be so selfish, I would urge you to hang on for one more tour. There is a four-Test match series scheduled for 2016, where you can end your career in full circle, having taken the reins of a team shattered on a tour to England, and returning to the same country six years later.

At the scene of the original horror show, your leadership would aid in the catharsis. More importantly, the tour begins in June, traditionally a period where our batsmen find it easier to adapt to the conditions.

Regardless of what you decide Misbah, I, on behalf of Pakistani cricket fans everywhere, want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Because of you, we are able to hold up our heads high during cricketing events once again. For that, we owe you a great debt.