(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Urges Pakistan Cricket Board to take a quick decision on Pakistan captain for the World Cup
Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi celebrates a wicket with his teammates during the third OdI against australia. — AFP
Abu Dhabi: Pakistan stand-in captain Shahid Afridi painted a grey picture of the side’s chances at the upcoming World Cup on the evidence of their capitulation to Australia in the third One-Day International in Abu Dhabi and the eventual 3-0 reverse.
The all-rounder who stood-in for regular captain Misbah-ul-Haq after the latter opted out of the game also urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to soon make a decision on who will captain the side at World Cup.
Pakistan fluffed their lines yet again this time by a heart-breaking one-run at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. With just two runs needed from six balls a much-needed win was theirs for the taking. But Glenn Maxwell played his hand with a two-wicket maiden as Pakistan’s plans went south. “If we are not able to win on such kind of pitches then it really is a big worry. I think we just cannot go into the World Cup with such performances” Afridi said after the game.
“The conditions including the pitch suited us more. If our batsmen cannot make runs on it then we have to think a lot about it” he added.
The Pakistan bowlers had done an excellent job earlier in the day to keep Australia down to 231 for nine after the latter were going great guns. In fact extras which has been Pakistan’s Achilles heel for over a period of time now was minimal. They gave away only five compared to Australia’s 25 and didn’t concede any right up until the 45th over.
“The batsmen spoilt the good work done by the bowlers. On this kind of surface and the way Australia were batting I thought they would get over 280. But our bowlers did well to restrict them to 231. Our batsmen didn’t stand up and couldn’t take the team home. The main problem has been partnerships. When we happen to build a partnership we lose wickets and that puts pressure” said Afridi.
Afridi snapped up two wickets including a return catch Sohail Tanvir picked up three. But Afridi failed with the bat making just six. The target was well under control but his usual rush of blood caused his downfall. Afridi was diplomatic when it came to Misbah’s decision to sit out the game and said there was no pressure on the latter to sit out. He also revealed that he got to know that he would fill in on the morning of the game. “The Pakistan captaincy is not an easy job. It was Misbah’s own decision to rest” he said and added: “I didn’t come to know of it through the media. I got to know of it in the morning.”
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had announced when he took over last month that Afridi will captain the T20 side while Misbah will continue until the World Cup. But with the turn of events in Abu Dhabi speculation is rife that Afridi will lead the side at the World Cup.
Afridi said that it was up to the PCB to make a decision as soon as possible. “I think whoever is captain — Misbah or me — we should know about it. If I am to captain at the World Cup then I should know about it” Afridi said.
jameskhaleejtimes.com
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