Unity key to winning World Cup: Mushtaq

Former leg-spinner urges team to avoid off-pitch controversies.

LAHORE: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed urged the team to unite before launching their World Cup campaign, insisting that all controversies should have been avoided ahead of the mega event.

“It’s very important to be united,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “It’s strange that the captaincy issue remains unresolved just weeks before the tournament.

“Identifying the captain is key in the preparation for the World Cup because the coach and team must know who will lead them. I think the delay in announcing the captain is damaging the team’s prospects.”

Ahmed, currently the England spin-bowling coach, expressed concern regarding the team’s morale given the latest controversy. “It’s disappointing. I’m afraid this will damage the morale and confidence of the team.

“The coach and captain should have had ample time to plan and execute a winning strategy before the tournament.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last week announced a 15-man squad for the 2011 World Cup but failed to name a captain. Current limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi and Test captain Misbahul Haq are the two major contenders.

“I think Afridi should be given the captaincy since he has been leading the limited-overs side for quite some time. Experience gives the advantage to Afridi.”

Ahmed said that the pressure of performing well in cricket’s biggest event is already mounting and yet another controversy will affect the team negatively.

“Results depend on the spirit of the team. The dressing room atmosphere is a major determinant of a team’s performance,” said Ahmed, who played an important role in Pakistan’s only victorious World Cup campaign in 1992.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2011.