Decision on captaincy change illogical, say former players

Afridi’s sacking anger former Test cricketers, ex-PCB officials.

KARACHI:

Former Test cricketers and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have questioned the current management’s decision to remove Shahid Afridi from the One-Day International (ODI) captaincy and termed it as a huge setback in the national team’s struggle for progress.

The PCB, while naming the squad for the Ireland series, named Test captain Misbahul Haq as Afridi’s replacement at the helm while including the all-rounder in the 15-man squad for the two ODIs on May 28 and 30.

Illogical decision

Although the PCB has not given an official reason for Afridi’s removal from captaincy, it is understood that board chairman Ijaz Butt was not happy with the all-rounder’s recent comments on team management, hinting at a tiff with coach Waqar Younis.

The decision, however, still managed to perplex former cricketers.

“It’s an illogical decision,” former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim told The Express Tribune. “If there were disciplinary or form issues with Afridi, why is he then named in the squad? If he has been selected in the squad, he should have also been retained as captain.”

Pakistan registered 18 wins from the 34 ODIs that Pakistan played under Afridi’s leadership, including series-wins in New Zealand and West Indies sandwiched by a run to the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup where it lost to eventual winners India.

Qasim, a veteran of 50 Tests and a former chief selector, felt that the decision will harm Pakistan’s progress.

“The team was heading in the right direction as it finally started showing improvement after facing various crises. This decision will only hurt and hamper further progress.”

‘Just not understandable’

Former PCB chief Tauqeer Zia also spoke against the decision, terming it poor and ‘not understandable’.

“It’s not understandable,” said Zia. “Afridi should have been retained as captain if he is named in the squad. The team was showing improvement under him and he deserved to be retained as the captain. He was our World Cup hero where he performed very well and the PCB’s attitude towards him is unjust.”

Captaincy shuffle ‘harmful’

Meanwhile, as Misbah was named Pakistan’s fifth ODI captain in the last three years, legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir termed the continuous shuffle harmful for the team.

“The continuous change in captaincy is not in the team’s interest,” he said. “The PCB should have ignored Afridi’s offence in the best interest of the team. Also, a captain has to marshal his players on the field and he should get more say in decisions and developments regarding the playing-eleven.”

The former chief selector, however, said that if Afridi had underlying issues with anyone, he should have spoken about it with the PCB rather that sharing it with the media.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2011.