An official announcement is expected to be made today or on Monday. Earlier, Pakistan named their 15-man squad for the World Cup, failing to name the captain. This paved way for speculations that Test captain Misbahul Haq could be a likely contender together with current limited-overs captain.
Butt flew to New Zealand for consultations on the issue last week and discussed it with the management, coach and the team on Saturday. According to sources, the team management told him that a change of leadership just before the mega event may adversely affect the team’s performance.
Following Pakistan’s 43-run victory over New Zealand in the third One-Day International (ODI) and the crucial performance of the captain in the win, the board was prompted to make the decision in favour of the current captain.
According to sources, team manager Intikhab Alam and coach Waqar Younus also voted in favour of Afridi.
‘No experimentation’
Meanwhile, Afridi has said that there will be no experimentation in the remaining ODIs unless the series is won. A maiden century by opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez and a blistering 65 by Afridi set up the win as Pakistan levelled the six-match series 1-1.
The batting heroics, which rescued Pakistan from a disastrous start and took them to 293, were complemented by the fielding exploits of Umar Akmal who featured in three crucial New Zealand dismissals as the hosts were halted at 250.
“We don’t want to experiment right now,” said Afridi. “We will stick with the same team and the same combination.”
Afridi, who starred in a 126-run charge over the last 10 overs, said that in order to get the right combination before the World Cup, the team needed to be consistent.
“The team needs to stick to one combination before the World Cup. So there will be no more experimentation in the remaining matches.”
Opener Hafeez hit 115 and consolidated the innings. After Misbah’s dismissal, Hafeez added another 52 with Umar Akmal before Afridi took Pakistan to 293.
“Our extraordinary batting took us to a match-winning total.”
Akhtar’s inclusion halted
However, Afridi said that fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar who was left out of the third ODI will need to train hard and practice before making a way back to the team.
“Akhtar needs to be match fit and should train. [Coach] Waqar Younis is working hard with him. If there is a match remaining after the series is won, Akhtar might be given a chance.”
The fourth ODI will be played on Tuesday in Napier.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ