If anything, the right-hander's career is just blossoming. After a memorable Twenty20 World Cup, where he gave full vent to his batting talent to script Pakistan's entry into the final, Misbah hasn't looked back. He not only made it to both one-day and Test squads subsequently, but was elevated as the deputy to Shoaib Malik.

It's to his credit that despite being on the wrong side of 30, he kept nursing hopes of a comeback, fully aware of the sub-continental fetish for young legs. "It's natural and in every walk of life that's the story (preference to youngsters)," he reasons without a trace of bitterness.

Fighting hard

"The selectors and the team management think if they pick young guys, they are going to play longer, that's why I think they prefer youngsters. If you pick a guy nearing 30 to play for the country, he might play for only a couple of years. In my case, I really worked hard and I always thought that I would come back and play for Pakistan. I never let it go. I kept working hard and that really helped me in the end," he adds.

Currently based in Bangalore as part of the Royal Challengers team in the Indian Premier League, Misbah is enjoying the experience. "It's a new thing… Players from different countries are playing together and it's good to build some relationships with other players. It is also good to learn from them," he says.

Misbah was taken by surprise when the Bangalore crowd gave him one of the loudest cheers when he walked out to bat against Deccan Chargers last Saturday. "It felt like playing in my hometown. It was a great thing. It (cheers) sounded the same as when Rahul (Dravid) came out to bat. It's a great feeling," he remarks.

It was a bit surprising that despite his impeccable T20 credentials, he wasn't picked in the first IPL auction. The soft-spoken batsman reasons that the format of the auction was responsible for that.

Surprised

"Yes, it was a bit surprising to see me not being picked. I think they focused initially on five or six players from each country who were the leading players and my name wasn't there from Pakistan. Actually, the IPL wanted players who have played more one-dayers, more Tests. They wanted players with wider recognition. In that way, it's okay," he reasons.

After joining the Bangalore side, Misbah had to warm the bench, which was another surprise, before he got his first chance against the Chargers. But the Pakistani said he was ready to bide his time. "That's the format here because only four overseas players can play and nobody can help it. The captain and coach can pick only those four players whom the team needs most. I realise that and I am not worried about being in the 11. Maybe we could have two more overseas players in the playing eleven, but that's up to the IPL officials to decide.

Obviously, they want to give more chances to local guys and that's understandable," he explains.

Like anywhere else in the cricketing world, the IPL is a hot topic in Pakistan as well and Misbah is determined to stamp his class in the tournament. The Royal Challengers need Misbah to light up their fortunes.