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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is going to make a change in the captaincy of the national team as three separate teams are likely to be announced on Wednesday for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
“We have not taken any final decision to replace captain Misbah-ul-Haq. Before taking any decision, I will meet senior officials to exchange views on the issue,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf told Dawn.
When asked whether two captains for different formats would again promote groupings in the team as it happened when Salman Butt was leading Test side and Shahid Afridi was the captain of limited-overs game, Zaka said that final decision would be taken after thorough discussion and in the best interest of the team.
According to sources, Mohammad Hafeez is being tipped as captain for the T20 team despite his lower batting average as compared to Misbah.
Meanwhile, the national selection committee has completed consultation with captain and coach over selection of three separate teams. The selectors will have one more session of discussion on Wednesday before handing over the final list to the PCB chairman for his approval and announcement.
The system of two captains has always helped the PCB management with regard to holding sway over them (captains) since it is difficult for the management to dictate a captain leading the side in all three formats particularly when he is a successful one, added the sources.
Since taking charge as captain in 2010, when the team was in shambles in the wake of spot-fixing scandal, Misbah remained a very successful skipper.
As captain, Misbah has so far won nine Tests out of 15 and 16 One-day-Internationals out of 22 besides winning five Twenty20 Internationals out of seven.
Though Misbah’s track record as captain is fantastic, his critics have never been satisfied with his performance as a captain, criticising him mainly owing to his advancing years and predominantly defensive approach.
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Comments (36) Closed
May 09, 2012 01:27pm
In addition to being arrogant and having mercurial temperament, Afridi humiliated the entire nation by chewing the ball in front of the millions of people watching the live broadcast. He is arrogant and gets nervous while batting. He should never be brought back as a captain. What is this with the PCB that instead of looking forward, they always look backward. They drop players from the team for good reasons, and after some time they take them back. Shoaib Malik is a good example of backtracking.
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May 10, 2012 07:47am
PCB CREATE NEW GROUPING POLICY. MUHAMMAD HAFIZ NEW CAPTIAN, VERY VERY BAD DECESION
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May 09, 2012 12:48pm
Misbah should stay on as a Captain indeed. He is cool under fire and very mature. But you need an agressive, not defensive, Captain for T20. I recommend Umar Akmal as a T20 Captain, he can be a firebrand if groomed properly.
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May 10, 2012 03:15am
BAD bad idea. The team is united, let it work. Why fix when nothing is broken!!
Bringing in 3 different captains would split the team, create a rift, and the team would not perform as well as it has been in the last year or so under Misbah.
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May 09, 2012 03:29pm
Misbah has denfensive batting style and this is becuase he plays for Pakistan not for India or Australia. Look at our batting heros, we dont have dependable openers. Hafeez needs consistency. Middle order has Umar Akmal, who thinks that he is best player ahead of Clarke. Asad, Azhar they are still learning. Younus has some role only. I also dont like Misbah batting, but he is best choice becuase of his calmness as captain. Pakistani batting needs maturity, we dont need players who come hit a six and out next ball. If you want to remove anybody from the batting it should someone who does not take responsibility, making 60 runs and get out at crucial stage is no use. Misbah may not be Miandad, but he replicates him and therefore Pakistan are always in the game when he is on crease. Hafeez should be groomed as captain.
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May 09, 2012 03:57pm
At least Misbah was out in the field batting . Afraidi kept demoting himself because he was afraid of failing and didn't even try to save the match whereas even though Misbah struggled with his batting at least kept trying. What we need is a captain who can lead from the front and not someone who runs always from pressure situations like Afridi did in England and in the WC semifinal.
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May 09, 2012 04:43pm
Younis One Day Captain, Misbah Test Captain, Afridi 20 20 captain.
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May 09, 2012 02:13pm
Misbah, though successful captain thus far, is showing signs of decay. As a batsman his overdefensive approach has caused a lot of damage in crucial ODIs, WC semi final in particular. Even recently against England he struggled to score when required. In shorter versions of game he himself has never been able to finish the games. All credit to him to take Pakistan to winning line in 2007 T20 WC final but couldnt go over it. He is best suited for tests and he should stick to this form of game till his retirement. For ODIs and T20s, time to pass on the baton to Afridi or Hafeez, thats way forward IMHO.
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May 09, 2012 11:09am
Misbah's record speaks for itself, hence, I favor Misbah as the captain of all formats. Hafeez or someone young should be made vice captain of all formats that Misbah can groom until he (Misbah) is ready to throw the towel.
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May 09, 2012 06:56am
It will be a wrong decision. I donot see any other player in present squad who has a permanent place with the leadersip quality. Misbah should remain Captain and we must groom some youngsters for Captaincy. Younus and Afridi have been given chance but failed to hold on to Captaincy for some meager reason.
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May 09, 2012 12:34pm
agreed 100%. seen this so often with afridi
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May 09, 2012 11:05am
It seems pcb is in hurry .Misba should not be removed as captain till t20 worldcup finish . He has united the team into one unit. His defence approach approach has brought more success than aggresive approach of his counterparts. Rather criticising his defencive approach why should not look performance of other players. Umar akmal continues with his inconsistency, afridi poor with bat, hafeez poor with runs , younis unrythemic, and shafiq's floating position, sometimes in and sometimes out. Keeping the others performance in view , Misba's defence approach is need of hour.
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May 09, 2012 07:12am
If it ain't broken why fix it!!!
Misbah did such a fantastic job; making the team a team! And age, remember what they say now, 30 is the new 20, so 40 is the new 30. With the strict exercise/gym routine that Misbah follows; he is fitter than many half his age
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May 09, 2012 07:21am
Misbha knows only one game that is defensive Pakistan always looses but Misbha scores 30+ Runs in 60PLus balls .HE HAS TAKEN DEFENSIVE ROLE IN THE TEAM DESPITE BEING SO HUGE AND POWERFUL IN PERSONALITY AND EVEN SOMEONE COMMENTED HE GOES GYM WOW;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;.
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May 09, 2012 07:24am
And can you explain that 'meager reason'?
You cannot disregard a person because he is outspoken. He deserves the captaincy and should be given. He proved it during the world cup. Yes, I am speaking about Afridi...
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May 09, 2012 07:26am
Shahid Afridi is the only present who got self respect and can say if player doesnt perform he is the best alrounder and entertainer present in world cricket.People love to see him and world cup semi final he LED from the front HE balled well and Batted well and made other players to play as a team and fielding was the best under him becoz he nos how to dive............;And all Thanks to Misbha for semi final batting who slept till last 48overs to make his 50runs later when the match was slipped from hands he did a sucide by hitting in air and caught out...When a new players was coming and he was taking risk but great great MISBHA was defensive even being well settled and played almost more than 50balls.......Its simple MIBHA scoop and T20 Lost Misbha doesnt like to win matches
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May 09, 2012 07:36am
Its not his age, which hurts. Its his defensive approach which does not suit one days or T20s.
Shabbir
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May 09, 2012 02:47pm
How does this make any sense.
PCB has no better captain than Misbah currently.
Dont even consider the immature Afridi.
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May 09, 2012 08:32am
Afridi is immature and when under pressure as captain, walks away from his team and loses his coolness, has no strategy or tactics, does not help nor encourage, or motivate his players. He should not be captain and should never have been made captain.
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May 09, 2012 10:04am
GHS, read the comment, when he is under pressure and the match situation is not in the team favour, he breaks. That is the exact test of captain material. When things are against you, stay cool, strategy and tactics. When things are in his favour, he wants all the credit. Look at his full record - ball biting, roughing up pitches, retiring more times than Frank Sinatra, walking out, dressing room fights. And get real about close matches, only winning counts in Finals and Semi Finals, not close matches.
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May 09, 2012 08:42am
No Strategy ! no tactics ! Lady luck has taken Pakistan to Semi final in World cup and T20 Semi Final!! Name a match during Afridi's tenure where Pakistan was beaten comprehensively?only one or two!! but in Misbah captaincy we've many!!
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May 09, 2012 08:45am
Afridi should be the captain of the odi and t-20 side . i dont think so hafeez is capable enough to handle the team and pressure
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May 09, 2012 02:54pm
Its great that pakistan cricket board can think out of a box...3 different captains makes it easier team selection, team unity...so yes defo up for 3 leaders on the pitch. There is always a draw back with PK cricket its when they bring pack of CARDS thats when it gets worrying.
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May 09, 2012 12:47pm
Guys, it is not a bad idea! Let us move forward for the future & don't be stuck with history! If Hafeez cannot be a Captain now, at least make him T20 Captain and Vice captain for ODI & Tests.
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May 09, 2012 08:58am
I like the ideal of 3 separate teams and also Hafeez as Captain for ODI and T20 makes sense. I just hope youngsters are given a chance in T20 and ODI's before selecting them for Tests.
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May 09, 2012 09:19am
I do not agree and request to kindly keep Misbah for three formats. It would be injustice, if they make changes
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May 09, 2012 03:00pm
Whatever you do just dont bring "Mr Titanic" Kamran Akmal back in any form of cricket. He will drop catches no matter who the captain is and we will be back to square one.
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May 09, 2012 11:27am
Misbah good track record appears good because of matches played against teams like Bangladesh or England in UAE.
Afridi and Hafeez should be considered for T20 & ODI while Misbah can lead the Test.
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May 09, 2012 11:27am
Nonsense. Misbah is a time-tested and trusted horse and you never change a winning horse. Hafeez has no experience as a captain. He is a good all-rounder but it takes more to be a good captain. Shahid Afridi is a non-serious emotional bloke and has a bad temper (eating cricket ball). Moreover he is an undependable player. Leave Misbah as captain. You have no other choice.
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May 09, 2012 10:51am
I think its a good decision.....Pakistan should look for t20 worldcup prepration........Either Hafeez or Afridi Should be good choice...........
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May 09, 2012 11:40am
The Board are again trying to cause as much harm to Pakistan cricket as is possible. Very wrong to start making changes in Captaincy when all has gone so well.
Please let Misbah carry on. He has played well himself, led the team well and delivered good results.
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May 09, 2012 11:48am
over all performance of team is in front of us in the captaincy of Misbah..... Afridi iis non-serious and lose tempered person... he can't tackle tough situation compare to Misbah... the Calm and Silent personality....I think he should remain captain untill T20 Worldcup lasts...
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May 09, 2012 01:09pm
Misbah is cool, calm and intelligent captain.Now the format of T20 require young blood and captain who is bold to take decesion. Misbah is play safe captain.He rarely change batting order.Hafiz is alrounder and abilities to delivere.This is the right time to test him. He should be ready before T20 world cup.As I have suggested T20 team should consist of big heaters and alrounders. They should be young and very good fielders.My T20 team is among the following players.
M.Hafiz(Captain),Nasir Jamshed,Shehzad Ahmed,Imran Nazir Umer Akmal,Asad Shafique,Shoaib Malik,Hammad.Azam,Afridi,S.Ajmal,A.Rehman, Raza Hassan,Umer Gul, Aejaz Cheema,Zia ul Haque, Sarfraz Ahmed (wc),
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May 09, 2012 12:14pm
Imran case be included in the team
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May 09, 2012 12:53pm
Let PCB experiment appointing new captains and than it will be too late to correct the mistakes and the team will be full of politics. God help Pakistan in their pursuit to gel together and march forward. The need of the hour is to appoint vice captains under Misbah and let them train. It is no time for change as the world cup is getting nearer.
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May 09, 2012 12:28pm
Misbha knows only one game that is defensive Pakistan always looses but Misbha scores 30+ Runs in 60PLus balls .HE HAS TAKEN DEFENSIVE ROLE IN THE TEAM DESPITE BEING SO HUGE AND POWERFUL IN PERSONALITY AND EVEN SOMEONE COMMENTED HE GOES GYM WOW
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