Afridi should be the captain for WC 2015, says Shoaib Akhtar

ISLAMABAD-

Former Test pacer Shoaib Akhtar wants flamboyant veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi to be named captain for the upcoming cricket showpiece event.

Speaking about the 2015 World Cup, the Rawalpindi Express said that Afridi should captain the national team during the mega event.

The former pacer stated: “Afridi is not a batsman but his credentials as bowler and aggression in his attitude is more than enough to help him qualify as a captain of the national team.”

Also, Shoaib said the newly-appointed head coach Waqar Younis should act as a father figure in the dressing room, adding the Burewala Express has always been a source of inspiration for players.

“I hope Waqar will bring changes that will be beneficial for Pakistan team in the future. He as a coach has to rise above everything and act as father figure in the dressing room,” he stated.

He said there are many ways of dealing with players, saying some need to be given respect while others must be dealt strictly.

“All these tactics are part of the skills of a coach and I hope a cricketer of Waqar’s stature would be able to help Pakistan team overcome these problem and win in the future,” said the former pacer.

Shoaib further said that the new coach should know how to take the best out of each player. For example, he said, the coach must know how to deal with Afridi in the best possible way to horn Arfidi’s skills in T20 format and similarly how to cope with Misbah in ODIs.

Rawalpindi Express said a lot of senior players were asked to leave in the late 80s with Imran Khan making a new team who proved winners.

Also, former Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf said Waqar should treat players like his younger brothers as criticism by the coach can destroy a player’s self-esteem.

“I hope Waqar doesn’t repeat mistakes of the past. He must do what the team are in need for,” commented the former classical batsman.