I've never seen a coward captain like Misbah, says Shoaib Akhtar

Rawalpindi Express says Misbah is selfish and happy with his own runs


Reuters February 21, 2015
Former international cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Former paceman Shoaib Akhtar labelled captain Misbahul Haq "a coward" and "a selfish player" after Pakistan were crushed by 150 runs by West Indies in the World Cup on Saturday.

"I have not seen a more coward and selfish captain than Misbah," the 39-year-old Akhtar told a TV channel.

"He is not willing to bat up the order to protect the other players at a time when he needs to show inspiration.”

"He is happy with his own runs and I don't know what coach Waqar Younis wants. He has no game plan or direction for the team," added the man known as the Rawalpindi Express, who won 46 test caps and played in 163 one-day internationals. Misbah, 40, has been a successful test captain since taking charge in 2010 and has also led the one-day squad since 2011.

He batted at number five against West Indies in Christchurch on Saturday but made only seven as Pakistan were bowled out for 160 to slump to their second straight defeat in the competition.

Read: West Indies bounce back with 150-run rout of Pakistan

Former test captain Ramiz Raja also believes it is time for senior batsman Younus Khan to step down after failing in the opening two World Cup matches.

"I beg of Younus. Thank you for your services to Pakistan cricket but please leave this ODI side now," said Ramiz.

"I think Younus should tell the management he should be rested. Our fielding has also been a joke but we need just one good match to get back on the winning track."

Read: #PakvWI: Flopped, dropped and mocked

Another former captain Mohammad Yousuf called for wholesale changes to be made after the World Cup.

"The problems ailing our cricket will not go away unless we produce better batsmen and the management is reshuffled," Yousuf said.

Former test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was also scathing in his criticism.

"We went to pieces against a West Indies side hit by internal issues so what can we expect from this team in the remaining games?" said Saqlain.

COMMENTS (48)

Zakiullah | 9 years ago | Reply Sir shoaib Akhtar his claim are really true. I really accept his comment. what did PCB do"nonsense ". who select the players. I never think pak batman was not more practice. what did they do in field. world cup new format is only for batting. mini countries were taken more run in wc . look performance of Zimbabwe, Ireland, Bangladesh and west Indies. Their batting performance are more better than park's batman. They broke my heart. PCB powerless "nonsense".Why you couldn't defence your brilliant players. What about the Ajamal and Hafeez. Many years they bowl in different countries and different fields. at that time what did ICC do. Why they couldn't detect such mistake. what is their plan on pak players. nearing world cup they pulled out brilliant players. so they have not chance to play. If icc detect such mistake in the early they have chance to change their performance. powerless PCB couldn't defence their players. It is time pass for you. It is like joker.
azmat | 9 years ago | Reply I am not at all in favour of shredding the team to pieces by over criticising them during the world cup Not good for the morale of the team. But the point he is making is very genuine. Misbah is a very defensive captain and that attitude needs to change if Pak team has to reach anywhere close to the knockouts. A very clear example is when he introduced part timers in to the attack (Sohaib maqsood and Haris Sohail) when he got the wickets just to get through their overs quickly but it gave the WI a chance to re-build the momentum. packing the team with batsmen at the cost of a specialist WC and specialist bowlers - if this is not defensive or cowardice, then what else is? Comparing him with the great IK may not be appropriate but Imran, being an all-rounder promoted himself to Nos 3 during the SF and Final of the 1992 WC to protect the in-experience youngsters from the two new balls, even ahead of the great Miandad as far as I remember. So its not a matter of who has been paid for what job, its the matter of leading from the front and giving confidence to your players. IK was no God. Even his decision of promoting himself up the order could have backfired but he was brave at heart, innovative at brain. Misbah lacks the grit and Shoaib Akhtar is not the only one criticising him although I think his choice of words could have been a lot better but then Shoaib will be Shoaib:))
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