Misbah gets a subtle caution
Team manager Moin stresses on a change in approach to captaincy from veteran.
Misbah’s role as captain has been backed by manager Moin Khan who believes the 39-year-old only needs to modify his approach. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
More than a partial confirmation has been ascertained regarding Misbahul Haq maintaining his captaincy for the Test and One-Day International (ODI) formats, at least for the series against South Africa. This, to a certain extent, also holds true for the home assignment against Sri Lanka.
Yesterday, a day after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Caretaker Chairman Najam Sethi reposed confidence in the veteran’s leadership qualities, manager Moin Khan also spoke against a change of the guard, hinting of continuity in leadership.
However, the former captain did not back the veteran batsman before pointing out the weakness of the 39-year old in marshalling his troops.
Moin met Sethi at the PCB headquarters in Lahore where he submitted a report on the tour of Zimbabwe that ended with a humiliating Test defeat to the weak opponents after 15 years.
Calls for the removal of head coach Dav Whatmore and Misbah, dubbed as a defensive captain recurred with full pace following the shock.
Moin, who captained Pakistan in 13 Tests and 34 ODIs, partially agreed to the calls from former cricketers.
“Misbah needs to change his captaincy approach,” said the former captain after his meeting with the PCB chairman that coincided with reports of possibly removing Misbah as captain.
“There is no need to change the captain. I’ve spoken to Misbah and he is positive about bringing an improvement.
“The team needs consistency and changes are not in its interest,” added Moin after backing struggling Mohammad Hafeez to be a part of the Test squad.
Captaincy under radar
It has been learnt that Misbah, who regained strength as captain with his remarkable individual performance this year, will not enjoy the same status in the forthcoming home series.
The PCB has started mulling other options for the role while starting on plans for the 2015 World Cup.
A failure to earn desirable results against South Africa may prompt the change in captaincy.
“Misbah has 100% marks as an individual, but his captaincy will be under the scanner,” said an official close to the PCB think tank.
“The PCB is hoping Misbah will get the best out of his players.”
Interestingly, former captain Shahid Afridi, whose successful tenure as captain came to an end after a tiff with the then PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, has expressed interest in captaining the team again.
Afridi, who led the team to the 2011 World Cup semi-final, said he would accept captaincy as a challenge if the PCB made such an offer.
A report making rounds yesterday also suggested that the all-rounder was under consideration for the ODI captaincy against South Africa.
Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 games against South Africa in October-November.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2013.
More than a partial confirmation has been ascertained regarding Misbahul Haq maintaining his captaincy for the Test and One-Day International (ODI) formats, at least for the series against South Africa. This, to a certain extent, also holds true for the home assignment against Sri Lanka.
Yesterday, a day after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Caretaker Chairman Najam Sethi reposed confidence in the veteran’s leadership qualities, manager Moin Khan also spoke against a change of the guard, hinting of continuity in leadership.
However, the former captain did not back the veteran batsman before pointing out the weakness of the 39-year old in marshalling his troops.
Moin met Sethi at the PCB headquarters in Lahore where he submitted a report on the tour of Zimbabwe that ended with a humiliating Test defeat to the weak opponents after 15 years.
Calls for the removal of head coach Dav Whatmore and Misbah, dubbed as a defensive captain recurred with full pace following the shock.
Moin, who captained Pakistan in 13 Tests and 34 ODIs, partially agreed to the calls from former cricketers.
“Misbah needs to change his captaincy approach,” said the former captain after his meeting with the PCB chairman that coincided with reports of possibly removing Misbah as captain.
“There is no need to change the captain. I’ve spoken to Misbah and he is positive about bringing an improvement.
“The team needs consistency and changes are not in its interest,” added Moin after backing struggling Mohammad Hafeez to be a part of the Test squad.
Captaincy under radar
It has been learnt that Misbah, who regained strength as captain with his remarkable individual performance this year, will not enjoy the same status in the forthcoming home series.
The PCB has started mulling other options for the role while starting on plans for the 2015 World Cup.
A failure to earn desirable results against South Africa may prompt the change in captaincy.
“Misbah has 100% marks as an individual, but his captaincy will be under the scanner,” said an official close to the PCB think tank.
“The PCB is hoping Misbah will get the best out of his players.”
Interestingly, former captain Shahid Afridi, whose successful tenure as captain came to an end after a tiff with the then PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, has expressed interest in captaining the team again.
Afridi, who led the team to the 2011 World Cup semi-final, said he would accept captaincy as a challenge if the PCB made such an offer.
A report making rounds yesterday also suggested that the all-rounder was under consideration for the ODI captaincy against South Africa.
Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 games against South Africa in October-November.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2013.