Hafeez the ideal choice as captain: Mushtaq

Former skipper names his choice for ODI leadership.


February 23, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad has backed all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to lead the side into the 2015 World Cup.

Mushtaq believed that Hafeez had all the qualities needed in a leader.

“Hafeez is a smart cricketer,” Mushtaq told Pakpassion.net. “He’s intelligent, very knowledgeable and can work well with a young group. I suggest he’s given a young group of players to work with and let him lead the One-Day and Twenty20 teams.

“Give him the captaincy now so that he has time to establish himself and give youngsters a proper chance. That way, Pakistan cricket will reap the rewards.”

Mushtaq also called upon the Pakistani selectors to introduce youth in the ageing limited-overs squad in order to reverse the team’s fortunes after a 4-0 whitewash at the hands of England in the UAE.

“One of the differences between England and the Pakistan during the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) was the freshness and levels of energy in the England side. They had a youthful and energetic side in the field, whereas the Pakistan side looked an aged and tired unit. This is also the time to start preparing for the World Cup. All other teams are introducing younger players and planning for the 2015 World Cup, but Pakistan seem to be reluctant to do this.”

Mushtaq believed that the selectors needed to identify a group of 20 young players to form the ODI and Twenty20 squads and should stick with that group of players until the World Cup.

“The 2012 World Twenty20 is later this year and while the selectors have left it late for youngsters to establish themselves in the Twenty20 side, there’s a chance to throw a few of them into this team as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2012.

COMMENTS (5)

Jahil | 12 years ago | Reply

no wonder they call him Professor. Smart, sure! Useful bowler, Yes! But his foremost job in the team is to score runs, and give Pakistan good start in which he totally fails. My advise is if he is made the captain, he needs to move down the order and bring in Nasir Jamshed and Ahmad Shehzad to open the batting for Pakistan. Move Umar Akmal up the order and have him bat with Misbah. Give Asad Shafiq a good run in the middle order and then we can have Afridi. Our bolwing is pretty good and have open options so need to bring big change in that dept.

ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply

I second that Hafiz is the natural leader and he should be selected captain for one dayers and t20.

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