Mixed reaction in Pakistan over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972’s appointment as Test captain
Keeping its tradition of idiosyncrasies alive, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricket is once again stirred with controversy after PCB showed another illustration of 'wisdom' by appointing the 36-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq as the new Test captain. Misbah, who wasn't even selected
for the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s dismal tour of England, is suddenly elevated to the position of captaincy of national team.
Misbah will succeed the disgraced Salman Butt, who was suspended by the ICC after his involvement in spot-fixing row at Lord’s Test. The appointment of Misbah has produced some mixed reactions in Pakistan. The ICC Hall of Famer and former Pakistan captain,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
The 1992 World Cup winner Akram said: “I was surprised when I heard that Misbah has been named the Pakistan captain. He has been out of the team since the beginning of the year and to bring him back as a captain was a bit shocking. He is already 36 and the
PCB needs to find a long-term solution to this problem. I do not know the vision of the selectors.”
Misbah played regularly for Pakistan in the middle-order since his comeback to the national team in 2007. He made quite a mark at the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa but later, after a series of flop performances, he was dropped from the team. However,
keeping in view Pakistan’s current leadership dilemma, Misbah’s elevation makes complete sense.
After Younis Khan’s unceremonious departure from the captaincy, PCB has failed to find any proper replacement. Younis’ successors in the form of Mohammad Yousaf and Salman Butt were utter failure. And with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-c89347 Afridi's retirement from Test cricket, Pakistan’s
cricket governing body is left with limited options.
Commenting on it, Wasim said, “They did not have too many choices. Kamran Akmal is there but he is inexperienced. They have also tried Shoaib Malik. Mohammad Yousuf is making a comeback after a long time and he should just concentrate on his batting at the
moment. If they have named him (Misbah) the captain for one series, it's okay.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former coach, Geoff Lawson has praised the appointment of Misbah as captain. Misbah had made his return to the international cricket during the tenure of Lawson. He was instrumental for Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Coincidently,
his most productive phase was under the Australian when he established himself as a regular middle-order batsman. Under Lawson, he played 5 Tests in which he averaged 78 with two hundreds and one fifty.
Similarly, he averaged 41 in his 28 ODIs whereas his average in T20s was around 67 during Lawson’s time. Misbah was also the vice-captain during that time and he even led Pakistan to an ODI victory over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in 2008. Lawson stated: “Misbah definitely has
the best cricket brain and intellect in Pakistan cricket. He has a statesman-like demeanour which so many Pakistan captains have lacked and he handles adversity analytically, not emotionally. He knows how to get the best out of players and he is a winner,
note his outstanding domestic record as a leader."
Misbah’s age and his batting form is a matter of concern. He was dropped last year after he failed with bat successively but was brought back for the Tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 on the insistence of Mohammad Yousaf. His average in all three forms of cricket has dropped
significantly since the departure of Lawson. But, Lawson believes that the aging Pakistani batsman is still capable of making an impression.
He argued: “He works very hard on his fitness and his cricket skills, so physically he will be in good shape. The question is simply one of age and reactions. The captain leading or failing by example can have a significant effect on any team but especially
Pakistan. He deserves this but ideally he should have been captain six years ago.”
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