Misbah clarifies his stance over captain's role in team selection

KARACHI: Pakistan Test capatain Misbahul Haq clarified his stance over the role of captain in team selection in an exclusive interview to Express News.

The 40-year-old said that he never meant the captain is not taken into consideration while selecting a team but he insisted that more authority should be given to the captain.

"I just said that the captain should have authority in team selection and he should not only be limited to giving his input and opinion," said Misbah.

When asked to comment on his retirement he said, "Its not easy to leave ODI cricket as it is an honor to play for Pakistan but I think this is the right time to say goodbye to the limited over format.

"And it is high time for the youngsters to do something great for their country."

When asked who does he think his successor should be he said, "I have given my suggestion to the cricket board about the new captain and the board will take a decision after due discourse over the matter."

"You have to take chances in cricket. And it is the right time to do long-term planning. We are relying on young blood for the Bangladesh series and no doubt a good team should be sent for the tour but we should not take one series in consideration only."

Further, he criticised the grass-root cricket structure in Pakistan.

"All the coaching team gives their 100 per cent to make sure the players are ready for the match but our grass root level cricket is not good. Our basics are weak. Other teams focus more on fitness and we need to do that too at the basic level so as to improve our fielding standards."

When asked who is he pitting for the 2015 World Cup final win, he chose Australia.

"I think Australia has the advantage but both teams are the best of the tournament and anyone can be ominous on their day. And the team batting first has an advantage while batting in Australia as it is difficult to chase under lights," he added.

Moreover, he also highlighted the importance of media in the promotion of the game.

"Media should motivate people about the game and should send out positive stories. If media is negative then people will surely stop watching the game."