Mushtaq Ahmed backs http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 captain
Pakistan legend Mushtaq Ahmed is backing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Salman-c88163 Butt to do well in his new role as captain.
Ahmed is currently employed by the ECB as an advisor to England's slow bowlers and he has said that his loyalties will be split this week as England and Pakistan prepare for the first test of a four match series.
The Pakistan captaincy is something that has changed constantly during the course of the last few years. However, the former leg spin bowler now says Butt can settle down in the role and brand his influence over the side.
Butt is a very calm and popular figure in the Pakistan team and he has many leadership qualities that will help him do well in his new role. Ahmed argues that the virtues of having a calm captain were on full display during Pakistan's recent emphatic win over Australia.
Leadership
Pakistan are a country who often need a strong leader to drive the team on. They have not really had a very strong leader since the days of Waqar Younis and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 and Butt is the latest to be given a chance to do this role.
Butt is a very calm person and it seems he is the sort of figure that any member of the Pakistan side could go to with a problem that does not necessarily relate to cricket.
He does not seem to have an ego and he seems to prefer staying out of the media scope when and where he can. This will be more difficult but it should ensure he does not get himself in to trouble with the rest of the side for something he says or does off the field.
Mushtaq said: "Salman is lucky. He has Waqar Younis as coach. It is very important for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 captain to have a very good, mature coach. A young captain has to make his mistakes sometimes, and that's why the coach will play a huge role. But overall, as long as they both have a freedom, I think it can work."
Form
Pakistan are in very good form having just thrashed Australia in the second test match against the Aussies. Inconsistency seems to be the main problem and if they can get this sorted out then it could be a long series for England.
Pakistan showed against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 that they are capable of playing very good cricket and every part of Butt's first game in charge was spot on. He did not interfere and he let the bowlers become his agents of chaos.
Mushtaq added: "Sometimes we lack freedom for our management. If I'm captain, I should be allowed to make my decisions - wrong or right. The same goes for the coach, so that nobody interferes with his man-management and other skills."
Advice
Pakistan will not be considered the favourites for the series against England due to the fact that England are ranked much higher. England also have a much more balanced and in form side than Australia and will be much more difficult to beat.
If you're looking for players to back then Butt could be a candidate to score a hundred at some point during the series. He looks in very good form and if England lack the discipline needed to get him out in any single innings then he can quickly go on and get three figures.
Pakistan will fancy their chances of winning a test match in this four match series but England will probably shade it when the fourth game ends. Go for England to win 2-1 or 3-1.
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