WEB CHUTNEY

The 42-year-old Misbah became the oldest captain to score a century as his unbeaten 110 took Pakistan to 282 for six at stumps on the first day of a four-match series against England at Lord’s.

The previous oldest captain to make a Test century was Bob Simpson at 41 years, 359 days against India in Adelaide in 1977-78.

Misbah, 42, has never before played a Test at Lord’s, but his unbeaten 110 appeared to have steered his side to a strong position. He said this was the “top innings” of an impressive Test career.

With his 10th Test century, Misbah also became the oldest player to score a Test century for 82 years. Not since England’s Patsy Hendren made a century against Australia aged 45 at Manchester’s Old Trafford ground back in 1934 had an older player scored a Test hundred.

Misbah had scored 8 centuries as captain in Tests, which is the most by a Pakistan captain. He went past Inzamam-ul-Haq’s seven centuries as captain.

The Pakistan captain celebrated by saluting the national flag and performing an impressive series of press-ups. “I promised the army guys I would do the push-ups if I got a century,” Misbah told reporters after stumps.

Misbah has missed previous tours of England due to selection decisions.