Cricketers cautious over T20 captaincy
Favourites tipped to replace Hafeez hesitant about coveted job .
Even though reports claim that Shahid Afridi has major backing for the captaincy post, former coach Mohsin Khan believes the final decision is PCB’s domain. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Mohammad Hafeez’s resignation as Pakistan’s T20 captain was not a knee-jerk reaction.
The all-rounder did not show immediate signs of quitting when Pakistan bowed out of the World Twenty20 without making it to the semi-finals — the day when they went down against the West Indies.
The senior cricketer took over a day to resign and his decision came after meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bigwigs.
While the board made it clear that Hafeez was not forced to quit captaincy, an official close to the top PCB management claimed that the all-rounder was pushed to resign — averting a storm of reaction from former cricketers and fans.
Over the years, captains have had to bear the brunt of failures by the Pakistan team, and the recent instance has brought the players in a fix.
In conversation with The Express Tribune, players who appear favourites to replace Hafeez gave vague responses in relation to the post of captaincy.
“It’s a tough job,” said a seasoned player when asked about his ambition of becoming captain.
“I personally feel for Hafeez. Because of the fear of such an ordeal, I did not respond positively about the captaincy offer that was made.
“It’s an honour to lead the national team, but at times the criticism levelled at the captain gets blown out of proportion, which may ruin his career.”
Another senior player echoed this view, stating that even though he can handle the responsibility, he had no desire to take up the post.
“I can just take it as a challenge,” said the player. “However, it’s very difficult to lead the Pakistan team; you have to face a lot of flak.
“The captain is not solely authorised to take the team’s decisions such as selection or game plans, but he is the first to be made the scapegoat.”
Meanwhile, a relatively younger player said he would rather focus on his individual performance.
“We are a result-oriented nation and the team has to face condemnation for every single defeat. The captain gets the major chunk of that criticism and I am not ready for that.”
The PCB is likely to discuss the matter on April 15.
Let PCB appoint captain: Mohsin
Following Hafeez’s resignation, several former cricketers have geared up for their suggestions on his replacement.
According to reports, former captain Mohammad Yousuf and former chief selector Iqbal Qasim have backed Shahid Afridi to become captain.
However, former coach Mohsin Khan said the decision was the PCB’s domain and the board will come up with the best possible result.
“Afridi is a great fighter and he has won some great matches for Pakistan,” he said. “But choosing the captain is the PCB’s domain. I will also advise the players not to think much about it and just be prepared to serve the national team under any captain.”
Afridi issued show-cause
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slammed all-rounder Shahid Afridi with a show-cause notice for his media interaction without ‘prior permission’.
An official of the PCB confirmed that the board has sought an explanation from the veteran cricketer for his statements.
On return from Bangladesh, Afridi had slammed his teammates and blamed the batsmen for the defeat against the West Indies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2014.
Mohammad Hafeez’s resignation as Pakistan’s T20 captain was not a knee-jerk reaction.
The all-rounder did not show immediate signs of quitting when Pakistan bowed out of the World Twenty20 without making it to the semi-finals — the day when they went down against the West Indies.
The senior cricketer took over a day to resign and his decision came after meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bigwigs.
While the board made it clear that Hafeez was not forced to quit captaincy, an official close to the top PCB management claimed that the all-rounder was pushed to resign — averting a storm of reaction from former cricketers and fans.
Over the years, captains have had to bear the brunt of failures by the Pakistan team, and the recent instance has brought the players in a fix.
In conversation with The Express Tribune, players who appear favourites to replace Hafeez gave vague responses in relation to the post of captaincy.
“It’s a tough job,” said a seasoned player when asked about his ambition of becoming captain.
“I personally feel for Hafeez. Because of the fear of such an ordeal, I did not respond positively about the captaincy offer that was made.
“It’s an honour to lead the national team, but at times the criticism levelled at the captain gets blown out of proportion, which may ruin his career.”
Another senior player echoed this view, stating that even though he can handle the responsibility, he had no desire to take up the post.
“I can just take it as a challenge,” said the player. “However, it’s very difficult to lead the Pakistan team; you have to face a lot of flak.
“The captain is not solely authorised to take the team’s decisions such as selection or game plans, but he is the first to be made the scapegoat.”
Meanwhile, a relatively younger player said he would rather focus on his individual performance.
“We are a result-oriented nation and the team has to face condemnation for every single defeat. The captain gets the major chunk of that criticism and I am not ready for that.”
The PCB is likely to discuss the matter on April 15.
Let PCB appoint captain: Mohsin
Following Hafeez’s resignation, several former cricketers have geared up for their suggestions on his replacement.
According to reports, former captain Mohammad Yousuf and former chief selector Iqbal Qasim have backed Shahid Afridi to become captain.
However, former coach Mohsin Khan said the decision was the PCB’s domain and the board will come up with the best possible result.
“Afridi is a great fighter and he has won some great matches for Pakistan,” he said. “But choosing the captain is the PCB’s domain. I will also advise the players not to think much about it and just be prepared to serve the national team under any captain.”
Afridi issued show-cause
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slammed all-rounder Shahid Afridi with a show-cause notice for his media interaction without ‘prior permission’.
An official of the PCB confirmed that the board has sought an explanation from the veteran cricketer for his statements.
On return from Bangladesh, Afridi had slammed his teammates and blamed the batsmen for the defeat against the West Indies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2014.