NEW YORK: Pakistan’s decision to hold back the announcement of the captain of its cricket team for the upcoming World Cup is causing surprise not only at home but abroad, and commented on even in a newspaper like The New York Times, which devotes little space to cricket coverage for lack of interest in the sport among Americans. “With less than three weeks to go before the World Cup begins Feb. 19, Pakistan is living up to its well-established role as cricket’s great exception,” Huw Richards wrote in an article published by the newspaper on Thursday. “Each of the other 11 competitors has known for some time who will lead it in the tournament. As of Wednesday, Pakistan still did not,” the writer pointed out. “While the all-rounder Shahid Afridi, captain in one-day and Twenty20 internationals for the last year, is leading Pakistan in its current one-day series in New Zealand, the delay in naming a World Cup captain has raised the possibility that Misbah ul-Haq, who has been impressive as captain of the five-day test team, could take over,” Richards said.“The uncertainty before cricket’s biggest tournament does not sit well with many, including Pakistan’s former captain, Inzamam ul-Haq,” he pointed out, adding: “Since Inzamam retired four years ago, instability has been the norm for Pakistan.Since then, six men the two current contenders, plus Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt have led Pakistan. “None has enjoyed job security, with the confidence they can overcome the next defeat or deal with dissent from a fractious squad of players.Not even a brilliant triumph in the World Twenty20 championship in England in 2009, secured not least because of his own astute leadership and well-judged batting, was enough to keep (Younis) Khan in the job.“Once again there are reports in the Pakistani news media of senior players in revolt against their leader. Afridi has been frank in postmatch comments about the failings of his team, and he willingly gave evidence to the International Cricket Council tribunal that is looking into match -fixing allegations against three Pakistan players, including Butt.
“Reports suggest that some team-mates, particularly those criticized on occasion by Afridi, are not pleased with his testimony. Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has urged Afridi to improve his relations with senior players and has visited the team in New Zealand to talk to him and the team management.“There is a case to be made for appointing Misbah. Most countries prefer to have the same captain for both five-day and one-day cricket. Since most players are involved in both formats, having more than one leader makes it difficult for either to establish full authority.“Misbah has done extremely well as Pakistan’s captain since he was recalled to lead the five-day test team in October. Having been left off the team for most of 2010, he is untainted by the chaos of Pakistan’s visit to England, which saw Afridi step down from the five-day leadership after a single match, and Butt, his successor, accused with his two leading bowlers of spot-fixing… “Yet he has also, despite earlier reports naming him as a dissident, gone on record praising Afridi’s leadership.“The team has gelled well,” he said in Napier. “Whoever is the captain, everyone will play for the team and for the country. I think Shahid Afridi is doing a good job. We have no problems and whoever is the captain, we will go out there and play our game – APP
