Norway! Misbah hits century in Oslo

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has scored centuries all over the globe and can now boast he’s achieved the unusual feat of reaching triple-figures in the Scandinavian nation of Norway.

Taking part in a charity game at Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Misbah pummeled 12 sixes on the way to a 34-ball hundred in the exhibition match part of the ‘Play for Peace’ festival.

The 42-year-old’s knock included three towering sixes off former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who was banned for spot-fixing during Pakistan’s 2010 tour of England, and a streak of five consecutive maximums off the bowling of a local player.

Asif’s side also featured former Pakistan stars Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf, but they were powerless to stop a rampant Misbah on the matting wicket.

Having led his side to a 2-2 series stalemate against England on their recent Test tour of the United Kingdom, the veteran batsman is on a break before Pakistan’s Test assignments against the West Indies in the United Arab Emirates in October and tours to New Zealand and Australia this summer.

Following their draw with England, Pakistan will be the new No.1 ranked Test side in the world if India fail to win the final Test of their series against the West Indies in Port of Spain.

Quick Single: We deserve No.1 ranking: Misbah

It would be a remarkable turnaround for Pakistan, who have been skippered by Misbah in the Test arena since Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Asif were convicted for spot-fixing in 2010.

Asif, who was the No.2 ranked Test bowler before that ill-fated England tour, has now served his five-year sanction and is hoping to join Amir in earning a recall to the national side.

"Every human being has made a mistake," Asif, who is playing club cricket in Norway as part of his comeback bid, told the BBC in Oslo last month.

"We made a mistake, we apologised and, after a mistake, everyone has the right to come back on track.

"It was a hard time, I went to jail and was banned and things got worse and worse. But, in the last year, things are getting better and better.

"The next season is very important for me. I want to come back and play a good standard, international standard, so I need to work hard and train hard.

"There are a few hurdles. I need to get fit, perform well and then my aim is to go with the team on the Australia and New Zealand tour."

And while Asif got belted by Misbah in the charity match, showing his country’s Test captain that he’s still available - albeit in the unfamiliar setting of a Scandinavian nation - could have done his chances of a Test return no harm.