LAHORE, Nov 13: Lamenting endless batting woes as the main cause of Pakistan team’s shocking losses in recent competitions, a determined Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on Wednesday announced that he would not escape from international scene amid negative criticism from some quarters and would rather fight on despite the unfavourable conditions.

“Only God, not any particular person, gives respect to everybody. I have been trying my best to play my due role for the Pakistan team and I will not escape due to any fear, rather I will continue my career with a fighting spirit,” Misbah told reporters after he arrived here from the UAE where he led the country in the Test and ODI series against South Africa.

Pakistan after squaring the two-Test series 1-1 against top-ranked South Africa, suffered a shocking 1-4 loss in the ODI rubber during which inexplicably fragile batting continued to be a major headache for Pakistan think-tank.

Stunning defeats in at least two ODIs — in the first ODI at Sharjah and the fourth ODI at Abu Dhabi — saw batsmen virtually throwing away their wickets at crucial stages. Otherwise, the results could have been in Pakistan’s favour.

“I have been called ‘jackal’ by one of the critics, despite knowing well that I have always tried to perform on the field to the best of my abilities. And if such an individual is called ‘jackal’ then I am a jackal,” said Misbah.

Misbah, 39, has been Pakistan’s top-scorer in ODIs so far this year, amassing 1,119 runs (featuring twelve half-centuries) at a highly impressive average of 53.28 in 26 ODIs. In 2013 Test matches, the rock-solid right-handed batsman has accumulated 570 runs in seven Tests at an impressive average of 47.50 with the help of one solid century, a match-winning effort against South Africa in the Abu Dhabi Test, and five half-centuries.

In the two Tests against South Africa, he remained top scorer with an aggregate of 218 at 72.66 and in the five-match ODI series the Pakistan captain attained the average of 31.60 with aggregate of 158, second best scorer after Ahmed Shehzad who totalled 193 runs at 38.60.

Still, it is regarded by many critics and experts — in the backdrop of Pakistan team’s poor showing featuring flashes of brilliance against top opponents — that Misbah’s highly consistent willow work which at times goes a bit slow, particularly in ODIs, has not brought the desired results for his team.

Misbah however has his own view to describe the team’s below par performance.

“Cricket is a team game and a single person can’t win matches alone and what can one person do when others are not performing equally?” he asked.

Misbah insisted Pakistan’s main problem was their chronic batting frailties, adding the batsmen had to deliver if they wanted to earn wins consistently.

In Test cricket, besides Misbah, only two other main run-getters in the UAE Tests were Asad Shafiq (194) and Khurram Manzoor (150). In the ODI series, only debutant Sohaib Maqsood (109 runs at 54.50 average), who played the last two ODIs, along with Misbah (158 runs at 31.60 average) and Ahmed Shehzad (193 runs at 38.60) were the prominent scorers.

Ironically, Misbah said, both the experienced and inexperienced players were not giving required performance on the field. But the skipper added debutant Sohaib Maqsood was a good induction.

“Several new players have been given chances recently but the result is front of everyone as almost all of them have struggled,” lamented Misbah.

Misbah avoided a reply on who would be dropped from the national side for the forthcoming limited-overs tour to South Africa, saying: “It is the job of PCB and the selectors.”

Misbah, who also met PCB caretaker chairman Najam Sethi, said it was a routine meeting.

There are reports that a particular lobby has again started a campaign against Misbah’s captaincy. The same lobby, sources said, also has the support of some PCB officials as they all want to have a new captain well before the 2015 World Cup.

AFP adds: Misbah’s sedate batting style has earned him the nickname “tuk-tuk”. However, he said: “I think all those who blame me that I don’t play for the team should open their eyes and take notice of the stats, they should realise the truth.”

Pakistan failed to bat out their 50 overs in all five matches against South Africa in the just concluded ODI series.

“If you perform like this then it’s difficult to win matches at the international level,” said Misbah.