REUTERS
Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq celebrates after completing his century against India during the second Test cricket match in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata earlier this week. He scored 161.

BANGALORE, India (Reuters):

Misbah-ul-Haq, who has ignited his Pakistan career in recent months, said he almost turned his back on the game at the age of 23 in favour of a business career.

He studied for his MBA in business management and only started playing top-level cricket at 24.

"Before my first-class debut, I was in two minds about which way to go, but I chose cricket because of my love and passion for the game," the 33-year-old Misbah told Reuters.

"Even after two years of choosing cricket, though, I thought I might have chosen wrong. But in 1999 my fortunes changed, I made my first-class debut and two years later was playing against New Zealand on my Test debut.

"Ever since I have not had any thoughts in my mind apart from playing cricket. I'm now really happy."

Misbah was a fringe player for Pakistan three months ago, but a successful Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and a maiden Test century against India in Calcutta this week have boosted his credentials. He scored 161 not out at Eden Gardens as Pakistan replied to India's intimidating total of 616 for six declared.

Misbah's partnership of 207 with Kamran Akmal earned a draw which means Pakistan can level the series if they win the third and final Test which starts here today.

METEORIC RISE

His rise has been so meteoric, he has doubled his Test average in the first two matches of the series, after scoring 82 and 45 in Delhi, from 17 to 33.

"It's been nice after such a long time, with all the failures since my debut in 2001, as it was always my dream to score runs in Test cricket," he said. "I wasn't playing consistently and it's been a boost to play regularly of late.

"It's a totally different story now. Before this series I was not sure of my future, but now I am confident and feeling part of this team."

Former captain Ramiz Raja this week even tipped him to eventually take over as skipper from Shoaib Malik.

The pressure was on Misbah after he came in for Inzamam-ul-Haq, who retired in October, especially as the former skipper had been part of a seemingly untouchable middle order along with Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf.

He attributes his new-found success to the confidence given him by Malik, coach Geoff Lawson and a new panel of selectors since the failed World Cup campaign in the Caribbean in March.

Misbah has banished any negative thoughts after his 523-minute innings at Calcutta dragged Pakistan back into the series.

"As soon as we managed to draw the second Test, everybody was really positive about going to Bangalore to level the series," he said. "If everybody goes in with a big heart and is mentally strong, we can win."