Misbah is 50-50 as a captain: Shoaib Malik
Former ODI captain believes the World Cup captain will need support of seniors to lift the trophy
Shoaib feels the Pakistan cricket team suffers from lack of communication. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI:
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said in an interview to a private TV channel that Misbahul Haq will need support from the senior players in the team if the men in green are to stand any chance of winning the 2015 World Cup, reported Press Trust of India.
"I would say Misbah is 50-50 as captain," said Malik.
"Fifty percent weak in taking aggressive decisions and fighting for his players. Senior players like Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Muhammad Hafeez will have to advise him on the field and help him take positive decisions if we are to do well in this World Cup.
"I have been told he is not able to fight for his players enough. As a captain you have to fight for the players you have faith in. They then repay you with their top performances and that is good for any team.
"He has his strong points. He is calm and strong under pressure and that is a plus point in a mega event like the World Cup. But I would like to see other senior players advising him on the field."
The 32-year-old also talked about his term as Pakistan's ODI captain, when he was sworn in after the team's failure in the 2007 World Cup, saying that communication barriers caused a lot of problems for him back in the day.
"I want to make one thing clear that I myself asked the then PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt to find someone else to lead the team as I wanted to resign as captain during the home series against Sri Lanka after we lost the one-day series," he clarified.
"Ijaz Butt accepted my resignation. I was not happy at that time leading the team because there were communication gaps in the side and it was clear to me some of the players were more interested in the captaincy themselves.
"In hindsight I made a mistake and it was too early to accept the captaincy after Younis had refused an offer from the board. But just when I was beginning to gain confidence and learn the tricks of the trade some players caused communication problems.
"There are communication problems in the Pakistan team which need to be sorted out. Instead of sitting down across the table and settling grievances we have a culture in the dressing room where players form small groups and stay away from others and it spoils the atmosphere and spirit."
He also shed light on his preference to play for Pakistan and said he sensed a comeback after the premier event.
"At my age I have still not given up hope of playing for Pakistan again. Whenever the selectors recall me, my commitments in foreign leagues will take a backseat. I am realistic about making a comeback after the World Cup because I have matured as a player and have been in good nick."
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said in an interview to a private TV channel that Misbahul Haq will need support from the senior players in the team if the men in green are to stand any chance of winning the 2015 World Cup, reported Press Trust of India.
"I would say Misbah is 50-50 as captain," said Malik.
"Fifty percent weak in taking aggressive decisions and fighting for his players. Senior players like Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Muhammad Hafeez will have to advise him on the field and help him take positive decisions if we are to do well in this World Cup.
"I have been told he is not able to fight for his players enough. As a captain you have to fight for the players you have faith in. They then repay you with their top performances and that is good for any team.
"He has his strong points. He is calm and strong under pressure and that is a plus point in a mega event like the World Cup. But I would like to see other senior players advising him on the field."
The 32-year-old also talked about his term as Pakistan's ODI captain, when he was sworn in after the team's failure in the 2007 World Cup, saying that communication barriers caused a lot of problems for him back in the day.
"I want to make one thing clear that I myself asked the then PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt to find someone else to lead the team as I wanted to resign as captain during the home series against Sri Lanka after we lost the one-day series," he clarified.
"Ijaz Butt accepted my resignation. I was not happy at that time leading the team because there were communication gaps in the side and it was clear to me some of the players were more interested in the captaincy themselves.
"In hindsight I made a mistake and it was too early to accept the captaincy after Younis had refused an offer from the board. But just when I was beginning to gain confidence and learn the tricks of the trade some players caused communication problems.
"There are communication problems in the Pakistan team which need to be sorted out. Instead of sitting down across the table and settling grievances we have a culture in the dressing room where players form small groups and stay away from others and it spoils the atmosphere and spirit."
He also shed light on his preference to play for Pakistan and said he sensed a comeback after the premier event.
"At my age I have still not given up hope of playing for Pakistan again. Whenever the selectors recall me, my commitments in foreign leagues will take a backseat. I am realistic about making a comeback after the World Cup because I have matured as a player and have been in good nick."