Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has thrown his support behind under fire skipper Misbah-ul-Haq after the national team’s disappointing Champions Trophy tournament.
Misbah, 39, was the only Pakistani batsman to shine with two half centuries in England as the Greenshirts lost all their three group matches to West Indies, South Africa and India.
The team’s disappointing performance has led to calls for changes in the squad and for the removal of head coach Dav Whatmore by several former players.
But Wasim, who played 104 tests and 356 one-day internationals, said while there was a need to rebuild the national side for the World Cup in 2015, Misbah should not be removed from his post.
“I think Misbah has been our best batsman in recent times and in the Champions Trophy,” the 47-year-old said on a private news channel.
“If Misbah had not stood his ground the way this team batted it could have been bowled out for scores of 30.
“His future should be secure. We need to rebuild with new players.”
PCB needs to work sensibly: Aaqib
Former Pakistan bowling coach Aaqib Javed has said that despite the team’s heartbreaking performance in the series, it was not a panic situation at all and instead sensible decisions are required by the board.
Aaqib shared the nation’s disappointment with the team’s performance but said that selectors or the board should not opt for wholesale changes after former players demanded massive overhaul of the team after their dismal show at the ICC Champions Trophy.
According to reports, Aaqib advised implementation of a realistic approach by dropping Shoaib Malik, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and opener Imran Farhat who failed miserably with the bat and replacing them with Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Amin.
Aaqib opposed the idea of removing coach Dav Whatmore and said that if hiring him was a mistake then sacking him now would be a bigger blunder.
He further insisted that in order to produce quality players, there was an immediate need of giving more exposure to the Pakistan ”A” team by organising bilateral series on a regular basis.
Contrary to Aaqib, former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed strongly demanded actions for the remedial work and said that the entire team management failed to read the conditions and it is time some tough decisions are taken for the team”s betterment, the report added.
No one has mentioned Hafeez who simply is a bad influence in the team. He lacks character which is the essence of a sportsman's skill. He has failed when team needed.His perfomance against India amply describes that. When Tauqeer Zia was Chairman PCB and Aamir Sohail was the Chief Selector Hafeez was dropped on great public demand and Aaamir said on TV that he will not be in the team again. I think Hafeez is good at getting around the people who matter.One can imagine the mental calibre of those people.He should be removed.
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