Feb. 3: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram on Thursday backed Shahid Afridi to lead the side in the World Cup and hit out at the Cricket Board for delaying the appointment.
Akram said Pakistan had the potential do well in the mega-event but the side needed to know who the leader was as soon as possible. “Pakistan can be a dangerous team. No one can altogether write off Pakistan’s chances in the World Cup. They have the capability to do well, but first and foremost the captain has to be named,” said Akram, among the finest left-arm pace bowlers in the history of the game.
“But they don’t have a captain with just 15 days left for the tournament. I don’t know the reasons behind the delay. Even Afridi must be under pressure. The sooner the captain is named, the better for the team,” said the former all-rounder.
“I would go for Afridi, although Misbah (Ul-Haq) is performing well (as Test captain), but he’s not a magician. Afridi has been the captain for a reasonable period of time. The World Cup is too close to change a captain.
“They came back well in New Zealand. It shows that Afridi has the skill. Last year he was the highest wicket taker and also one of the top run-getters for Pakistan.
“In my opinion, Afridi should be named Pakistan’s captain. I don’t know what the PCB thinks about it,” he said. Akram said it was difficult to spot a player with the requisite skills to lead Pakistan. “Pakistan team me captain kahan milthe hai? (Where do you get captaincy material in the Pakistan team?).
Ek nahi miltha hai, tho kahan se doosra milegha? Usko (Afridi) rakho abh. (If you don’t get one where will you find the second. Keep Afridi for the present),” he added.