Contenders Afridi, Misbah have “no issues” over Pak captaincy for World Cup 2011

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has made it clear that there are no differences between him and Test skipper Misbahul Haq over the captaincy race for leading the national team for the World Cup 2011.

“I have no issues with Misbah. He is a great team player and human being. It really does not matter who is made the captain now, but the important thing is we support each other and play as a team in the World Cup,” the Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

The flamboyant all-rounder, who has been leading Pakistan’s one-day squad since late 2009, said he had never run after captaincy in his entire career.

“If that were the case, I would never have given up the Test captaincy after the first Test against Australia at Lord’s last year. I have never run after the captaincy but if this responsibility has been given to me, then I have tried my best to fulfil it diligently,” he maintained.

Afridi also said he and Misbah got along well, and that the latter had supported him a lot as captain with his superb performances on the field.

“His calm and cool temperament and batting has been a big plus point for the team, and he is giving 100 per cent to the team,” he said.

Misbah also came out in Afridi’s support amid the uncertainty looming over the selection of the national team’s captain for the World Cup, which starts February 19.

The Test captain pointed out that Afridi had been doing a good job as the captain of the one-day team and had gelled the players well together.

“I think Shahid has done a great job as captain and he has kept the team together and every player is contributing and wants to do well. He has led well,” Misbah said.

He said they had “no problems and whoever is the captain, we will go out there and play our game. Everybody is in good form. That’s a good thing for the team. Everybody’s contributing and getting scores; even the bowlers are doing well, so these are good signs (for the World Cup).”

The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to announce the team captain for the forthcoming World Cup on February 4, a day before the final match of their ongoing one-day series against New Zealand. (ANI)