Pakistani Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul Haq has said that 'ageing' players are no longer considered misfits in the 'rip-roaring' Twenty20 format as teams have realised the importance of experience in the shortest format of the game.
39-year-old Misbah, who has been Pakistan's leading run-scorer in tests and ODIs since the start of last year, was ditched by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and T20 selectors in 2012 with the younger Mohammad Hafeez taking over as captain.
According to The Dawn, Misbah pointed out that many teams have included players in their mid-thirties or older at the ongoing World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, in a distinct change from their previous belief that T20 cricket is for youth, as they have now realised that there is also a need for balance of youth and experience.
Misbah, who has continued to play T20 cricket at domestic level with considerable success, said that his achievements proved older players had a big role to play in the shortest format of the game.
Misbah also said that it is good to see older players in the format as this means their careers will be prolonged with so many leagues now being held round the year.
The report mentioned that Australia have certainly plumped for experience over youth in an attempt to win a maiden World T20 title by selecting veteran trio Brad Hogg (43 years), Brad Hodge (39 years) and Brad Haddin (36 years) in their 15-man squad.