Akram backs PCB’s decision to retain Afridi as Pak ODI skipper

KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has backed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to retain Shahid Afridi as skipper for the one-day series in New Zealand, starting January 22 in Wellington.

Akram’s comments came in the wake of the raging debate over whether Afridi should lead the team in the forthcoming World Cup, with some former greats backing Test captain Misbahul Haq to lead the country in the prestigious one-day tournament.

“I feel that changing the captain so close to the World Cup will cause great damage to the national team and its chances in the tournament,” the Daily Times quoted Akram, as telling reporters on the sidelines of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy final.

The PCB, which is yet to announce the captain for the World Cup, had added fuel to fire when it said it was uncertain about appointing Afridi, who has miserably failed to motivate his team to success in all the seven one-day series played under his captaincy.

The board, however, named him as captain for the six-match ODI series in New Zealand this week.

Akram advised out-of-form Afridi to work hard on his batting and bring more consistency, and also to lead the team from the front. He also felt the selectors had made a mistake by not including senior batsman Muhammad Yousuf for the series.

“Yousuf is a very seasoned campaigner and I think, in the World Cup, when the pressure will be high and all matches will be important, you need someone like Yousuf in the middle order to stabilise things. He should be in the side,” he said.

While the national selectors gave no reasons for sidelining Yousuf for the New Zealand ODI series, they have kept him in the 30-member preliminary squad for next month’s World Cup.

Akram also supported the decision to hold the final match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in the ‘day and night’ format. It is the first time that a first class match is being held under lights in Pakistan’s cricket history.

“I think such changes in Test cricket as well will make it more attractive for spectators who now want more action and colour in the sport after the advent of T20 cricket,” he said.

“There is nothing wrong in making such experiments that can prove beneficial to not only our domestic cricket but also Test cricket in future,” the bowling great added. (ANI)