Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez has come out in support of the appointment of Shahid Afridi as the national T20 captain.
The former national T20 captain, who is presently leading the Lahore Lions team in the Champions League in India, said that he had no regrets over the appointment of Afridi. “When I decided to step down as the national T20 captain this year I took the decision after much thought and I don’t regret that decision at all,” Hafeez said in a telephonic conversation. “I am happy for Afridi and it will be my endeavor that as senior player I would like to work with him to see Pakistan do well in the coming matches,” he added.
Hafeez said he was happy to see that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had appointed Afridi as captain until the T20 World Cup in India. “I never thought about the captaincy when the board was to announce the new captain. What I am happy about is that they have given Afridi a proper term as captain. I am sure with his vast experience the two years that he has he will build a strong team for the World T20. He is an aggressive player and can get the players to push themselves,” he said.
Hafeez said that if Pakistan cricket was to move forward it was important to have continuity and stability in the team and in key positions. “I believe that a captain and coach should be given proper time to do what they want to get the team to perform well and achieve the required results.” Hafeez when asked about rumors that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was closely monitoring his bowling action after his teammate, Saeed Ajmal was suspended this month said he was not worried. “I have been bowling with the same action for the last 11 years and I try to keep it as simple as possible,” he said. Hafeez’s action was reported some years back but it was cleared by the ICC.
Pakistan Cricket Head Coach Waqar Younis also told reporters that Afridi’s appointment was a positive sign. “It is a good thing because he is an experienced player and knows everything inside out and I would like to see him taking the team forward,” he said. Waqar made it clear that he had no problems at all working with Afridi even though the two had clashed in 2011 over team issues. “Yes we had some issues but they are history now and I know we can work well together for the team.” The Pakistan cricket head coach also added that he was kept in loop about Afridi’s appointment by the cricket board. Waqar said that the Pakistani bowlers would now need to just understand the new protocols of the ICC and monitor their actions accordingly.