KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will look into comments made by stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi which fuelled speculation about the future of captain Misbahul Haq, board chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Misbah had opted to sit out Pakistan’s third one-day international against Australia in Abu Dhabi and all-rounder Afridi was named to lead the side.
Afridi’s comments at a news conference gave rise to speculation that he was in line to lead the team during next year’s World Cup and hinted at strife within the team.
Khan stepped in to defuse the controversy and reiterated that Misbah would remain in charge through next year’s showpiece event in Australia and New Zealand.
“As far as the PCB is concerned, we are supporting Misbah and he is our captain till the World Cup,” Khan said. “The remarks made by Afridi are regretful and unfortunate and perhaps gave the indication of something wrong in the team. Also read: When they chanted “Go Misbah Go!”
“We are looking into Afridi’s statement to see whether he has violated his central contract terms and if this is so disciplinary action can be taken against him.”
The 34-year-old Afridi, who has played 384 ODIs, said he was ready to lead the team and the board should decide quickly who they wanted as captain in the World Cup.
His remarks fuelled speculation that Misbah, who has been leading Pakistan since 2010, was put under pressure to step aside for the third ODI.
Khan said Afridi should have been more careful with his words and added that Misbah had himself opted to sit out because he was worried with his form. More on this: Misbah can lead or leave, says PCB chief
“I had a long talk with Misbah and he remains our captain but he himself has said that if he doesn’t get runs in the coming tests against Australia and New Zealand he doesn’t want to be a burden on the team,” Khan said.
Misbah has been Pakistan’s leading run scorer in tests and ODIs over the last three years but has struggled since the tour to Sri Lanka in August.
He also failed to get runs in the first two ODIs against Australia, who swept the three-match series.
Re: PCB to investigate Afridi comments on captaincy issue
Right step. Afridi is in habit of giving controversial statements at crunch time. Guy just somehow want to become captain of Pakistani team. Another Muhammad Yousuf but Yousuf at least had class.
ha…this is not what he said yesterday. He sniffed the chance yesterday and threw his hat in the ring. Now that that PCB chairman has spoken, he took a U tern. He is like hyenas waiting for his target to go down…
Re: PCB to investigate Afridi comments on captaincy issue
He was overreacted at that time:smack: but now his statement showing some sensibility.
“Let me state at the very outset , Misbah is the best choice as Pakistan captain for the ICC World Cup 2015 . I have always backed him to the optimum whenever I have played under him , just as he had when I had the honour to captain the Pakistan team . “I have already had the pride and honour to captain Pakistan several times . Trust me , it is no bed of roses , and all of us who have captained Pakistan , including Misbah , are fully aware of it . **We get nothing more out of it than pride and honour ; seldom do we get bouquets but more often brickbats **. “I have said this before, and I reiterate , that I shall continue to serve Pakistan Cricket and fully support Misbah to the best of my ability .
“This is my final statement on the issue ”.
Re: PCB to investigate Afridi comments on captaincy issue
This is probably the 550th time Afridi has done something like that. There's no way that despite playing cricket for 20 years and landing himself in trouble over the same issue again and again, he didn't realise that statement was inappropriate. He does it on purpose.
Afridi the glory hunter won't hang his boots without getting the captaincy and retiring as a 'captain', even if that means that may have to extent his career by another five or six years.