Sports

Captain should have final say over team selection: Misbah

Lashing out at 'senior' players, Misbah says he is not responsible for Pakistan's cricket woes

Web Desk March 24, 2015

Express News screengrab

National team captain Misbahul Haq said on Tuesday the captain and coach of the team should have the final say over team selection.

"I think the coach and captain should have the authority to make selections," Misbah said, while addressing the media after a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials.

"Team selection is done by the selection committee. A captain can only recommend players, but does not have the final say on selection," he added.

Lamenting over Pakistan crashing out of the World Cup following Australia's emphatic victory in the quarter-finals, Misbah said he had no authority to influence selection matters.

Read: Pakistan’s Misbah backs India against Australia

Responding to a question as to why Sarfraz Ahmed was not included in the playing eleven during the initial matches, Misbah said, "Initially, Sarfraz Ahmed had difficulties but there were no differences within the team."

Further, Misbah said Pakistan's bowling is their strong point and the bowlers played spectacularly. "But our batting and fielding needs improvement," he said.

‘Do not blame me for everything’

Lashing out at a 'senior' players critiquing him for the green shirts faltering World Cup campaign, Misbah disappointingly said, "If there are draw backs in cricket, they are not because of me."

In an apparent reference to former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's statements against him, Misbah said, "If batting failed, it wasn't my fault neither was it my fault that international cricket is not played in Pakistan anymore."

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

"I am not responsible for the attack on Sri Lanka's team," he added.

Further, criticising media houses for giving air time to people who are not experts and criticise the team, Misbah said, "There should be a criteria for media appearances, if people come and criticise us wrongfully then no one will be motivated to play."

Read: Shoaib Akhtar criticised for 'insulting' Pakistan team on Comedy Nights with Kapil

One-day career ends

Further, Misbah said his one-day career has come to an end and the decision of his retirement is final.

"My ODI career ends now."

Read: Misbahul Haq - the revered leader of a boisterous bunch

Team performance

Misbah added that everyone in the team performed well and there was not one player who did not make an effort to win,

"We reached till the quarter-finals despite having lost the first two matches owing to our determination and efforts," he said.

"And we lost to the best team, Australia, and not any ordinary team," he added.

Read: Pakistan should start building a team for the next World Cup now: Misbah

Further, Misbah claimed Pakistan team played cricket despite multiple set-backs and losing players to injuries.

Shifting his choice for his favourites for the World Cup, Misbah said, "I think New Zealand will win the tournament."

COMMENTS (29)

maryam ashfaq | 9 years ago | Reply You cant blame the only man of the team the whole teqm isrresponsible for the fiasco and you should be remember that selection committee not chooses the players from karachi @Ishrat Ansari:

mary | 9 years ago | Reply I am fully agreed for his remarkable statements , he finally unveiled the situation on the field, so he vows the bounce to critics , although under his captaincy we do somewhat better in cricket , so they should remember .moreover he is the assess of our team , whenever pakistan in troulble and wanted to overcome the fiasco so lets see who will be the next captain of our nation , however who will be there we must pray that he will be sincere , honest and be selected on merit

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Ishrat Ansari | 9 years ago | Reply Yes, Captains who are interested in winning games for their country must have say, but giving such a say to a captain like Misbah means a repeat of world cup disaster. Here’s is why: just a few days ago, Misbah named under performing players like Umar Akmal as the future of Pakistan. The man, Sarfaraz, who won two games for Pakistan and who was declared the man of the match for the two games, was not even mentioned. In the eyes of Misbah and Waqar, players like Fawad Alam and match winning strike bowler and all rounder Anwer Ali do not even exist. If Fawad was in the team, then he along with Sarfaraz, would have given spine to the batting and Anwer Ali with Wahab Riaz.and Irfan would have made a strong bid for Pakistan in the World Cup. We lost because the captain and the coach were in favour of taking their favorites to the World Cup rather than a national XI selected on merit. The disasterous results are before us and if Misbah and Waqar have any shame they along with the team selectors must resign.

Amanzeb Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Completely agree with Misbah on the criticism part. But on selection he should have taken this stand before if he felt it was restricting his ability to lead the team. Younis Khan quit captaincy because according to him he did not want to be a puppet captain. Misbah should've done the same. If he continued then he has to accept responsibility.

Ashfaq11 | 9 years ago | Reply Its in sharp contrast with South African captian De Villiers who took full responsibility for his teams lost. I think it's a cultural thing that no one in Pakistan ever takes responsibility for anything. It's always someone else's fault. If people are not giving you what you need to do your job then please quit before instead of blaming others later. I am sick of this non sense

Shehryar | 9 years ago | Reply Sikandar Bakht, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar have forgotten their own performances. Apart from few good performances, they were no better than most players in current team. Who has given the right to Mohammad Yusuf to attack Misbah with comments like "Meh samajhta tha ye acha insaan he". Who has given you the authority to decide if Misbah is or is not a good person? What pathetic criticism. Sikandar Bakht played a mere 27 ODIs and 26 test matches. How can he decide if Misbah is a good captain or not? and, does Shoaib Akhtar remember his own performances in worldcups? Remember Klusener and Sachin? Unfortunately, people like Sikander, Yousuf and Shoaib have forgotten their own past. This kind of aggressive criticism without any substantial arguments should not be shown on tv. Very disappointing.

Shehryar | 9 years ago | Reply Sikandar Bakht, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar have forgotten their own performances. Apart from few good performances, they were no better than most players in current team. Who has given the right to Mohammad Yusuf to attack Misbah with comments like "Meh samajhta tha ye acha insaan he". Who has given you the authority to decide if Misbah is or is not a good person? What pathetic criticism. Sikandar Bakht played a mere 27 ODIs and 26 test matches. How can he decide if Misbah is a good captain or not? and, does Shoaib Akhtar remember his own performances in world cups? Remember Klusener and Sachin? The type of aggressive criticism from them without any substantial arguments should not be shown on tv. Very disappointing.

shimatoree | 9 years ago | Reply Moaning and groaning after a dismal performance……and DODGING responsibility are not qualities of leadership. Mizbah's press conference was PROGRAMED by those that he met at the PCB and more of the same is going to be used as the EXCUSE………..i;e: lack of international teams visiting Pakistan. No Mizbah….you FAILED as a Captain even though you were powerless and because YOU became part of the CLIQUE that has taken over PCB. Pakistan did not have a TEAM in WC….they had a collection of players without cohesion or leadership. A leader LEADS…..he is not a CRY-Baby. And to claim credit for victory against South Africa……..is disingenuous because then you should also accept total responsibility for the losses against India and West Indies

ABKhan | 9 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: The only sane demand according to you is that Najim Sethi without any cricket knowledge should always be on top of PCB and Nawaz sharif should keep ruling this country

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply A bit disappointed by his interview. He does not need to stoop to the level of the rotten tv anchors. And the captain should not be the selection committee - it won't be professional

Gp65 | 9 years ago | Reply They won against South Africa pretty convincingly. Certainly much more so than NZ did. Aus and India are evenly matched and result could go either way. @Someone:

Kamran khan | 9 years ago | Reply a big no to akmal brothers, their career should end here. Ahmad shazad should be thrown out . The way he gets out after scoring a half century is frustrating. Shoaib maqsood should get a warnning,if he refuses his captain orders ever again that should be curtains for him as well. And doesn't matter if he scores a century on that day, discipline is more important. Goodbye to waqar younis aswell. We need a young lot with a foreign coach preferably an Australian that can help make our players mentally strong. We need a single coach not three. I think even the current batting coach is fine. Reason we are not performing is because of grouping in the team. But a big no to the likes of moin Khan, waqar and mushtaq

Noman | 9 years ago | Reply Having played international cricket for so many years if the PCB still have not realized or made the effort to strengthen the game specially the fielding then Pakistan should seriously consider giving up the game entirely until such a time a non corrupt and selfless cricketing body takes over. Whatever Pakistan has achieved in cricket is purely on individuals talents and absolutely nothing from a useless infrastructure.

Naeem | 9 years ago | Reply Mister MIsbah! It is good that Pakistan team got free from your defensive mindset. If you claim Pakistan team won because of your presence then also accept the fact that team lost because of your presence too. You did not have leadership abilities in you because you were made captain and result is in front of everyone. Thank God we got rid of you.

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply "Captain should have final say over team selection: Misbah" Totally agree with him. Captain is not a manager, he is supposed to be a leader -- a leader with skill and vision. Imran was successful only because he had the freedom to pick players of his choice, e.g. Inzmam. @Shakti: Sorry mate, this time New Zealand will lift the cup.

US CENTCOM | 9 years ago | Reply If you watch the full press conference, Misbah makes some excellent points in his defense. If you look at his full tenure, In my opinion, Misbah has done quite well. Off course, we would've liked to see Pakistan do better in this World Cup, but he was our best batsman and at the end of the day it is a team sport. It is not fair to lay all the blame on him. I wish him best of luck in all of his future endeavors. Thanks Misbah! Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

Z | 9 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: Team selection might be a thankless job, but in the end they don't share any blame either. It is always the captain and coach who get blamed after losses. If the captain and coach are going to have to take responsibility for losses, they need to be given full control. In the current structure the team selection is at least as much to blame.

Anarchist | 9 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: Dont worry. If captain does not perform, NS will fire him. NS is brutal when it comes to merit and competence. No compromises.

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Its a ridiculous demand. Team selection is a full time, tough, professional but thankless job. Its selectors responsibility to find deserving players from all over the country, analyse their performances, test their abilities and be accountable to media, authorities and public. They are the ones who face criticism, insults, abuses and .consequences. Captains and other players are kept out of this web for a reason. If captain is given selection authority, then who would fire a non performing captain?

Omer Sajeed Mallhi | 9 years ago | Reply Great power (team selection) comes with great responsibility(blame for not doing good). Selectors have a very important job. They should do the talent hunt throughout the country and come up with the final squad BUT whoever plays in the match should be decided by Captain IN CONSULTATION with Vice Captain and Coach. Then and ONLY then we can blame a captain.

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply @Shakti: Absolutely!!!!

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply His captaincy is below par and leadership qualities non existent.

Someone | 9 years ago | Reply @Shakti - You wish!! Deffo rooting for NZ to win this WC and I am more than confident that India will bow out tonight! This is the first match in this WC that they playing with a team equally matched to theirs and India's record outside of India is honestly pretty crap, especially in Austrailia. So looking forward to AUS and NZ final! :)

Shahid | 9 years ago | Reply Well said Misbah! You never replied to these stupid shameless anchors when you were abroad. This shows your maturity. All the best in your future endeavours. And Sikander Bakht, M Yousuf, Shoaib...give it a rest!

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply @Shakti: Yes I am praying for Indian team to win tomorrow and then NZ lifting the WC :)

Sara | 9 years ago | Reply Misbah, a sane mind for an non-professional team has struggle throughout the years to make the team realize that they require professional attitude. Playing ridiculous shots, throwing wickets at regular intervals is one of the few examples for a the non-professional attitude of our players.

Sarwar | 9 years ago | Reply You have my utmost respect Misbah but I hope you would agree that even you, and especially the coach, does not have exclusive over cricketing wisdom. Team should always be selected by a selection committee. The issue is of selecting the right committee (the captain could be a member of that committee) and the right coach. The going sentiment that great players could be great coaches is insanity and nothing else. Coaching is a different art than playing the game. Waqar is s clear evidence of that. An outstanding player of his time, but he had shown total ignorance of skill base within his own team and was clueless about strengths and weaknesses of opponents.

Shakti | 9 years ago | Reply Totally agree with Misbah. He was given a bunch of pensioners whose days were way behind them and some youngsters who either didn't have the talent or didn't know what to do with it. Shehzad and Umar Akmal seemed to like themselves more than the game. There were only about 4 players who played for Pakistan. On another note, I hope Pakistanis are praying for an Indian win tomorrow !!

adeel abbas | 9 years ago | Reply I support Misbah's vision that every captain should have a say in Selection and final say in playing eleven.

Replying to X