REVEALED: Why Misbah-ul-Haq saluted, did ten push ups on reaching hundred at Lord's

New Delhi: Veteran batsman Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday produced one of his best knocks with an unbeaten century at Lord's.

The Pakistani captain scored 110 off 179 balls at strike rate of 61.45. The right-hander's innings included 18 hits to the fence.

On reaching the three-figure mark, the 42-year-old celebrated in a rather unique manner.

Before acknowledging the applause from the spectators, Misbah saluted and then did ten push ups.

Misbah ul Haq funny Century celebration. Most watch and share pic.twitter.com/j28x61OpPt — CRICKET HIGHLIGHTS (@cricket_bd_com) July 14, 2016

He later revealed that it was a tribute to the Pakistani Army officers who helped the Pakistani side during the preparatory camp ahead of this tour.

“That was my promise to the army guys when we did our training camp. We used to have an honour code where we were told to step into the ground and do ten push ups. I promised them whenever I got hundred I would do that to remind them (Army) we were there. That was for them and the salute was for the (Pakistan) flag. That was what they asked us to do so I did it for them,” he said.

Misbah and his men spent two weeks at an army boot camp in Abbottabad before this tour. As many young players struggled to perform the tasks assigned, Misbah and Younis Khan emerged as the fittest members of the squad.

Pakistan ended Day 1 at 282/6. Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez were the two other significant contributors with scores of 73 and 40 respectively.

Nightwatchman Rahat Ali was dismissed off the last ball of the day. Hence the visitors still have a specialist batsman in Sarfraz Ahmed remaining.

Misbah and Sarfraz will need to build on the good show from Day 1 on Friday.