New Zealand series loss might cost Shahid Afridi captaincy: Aamer Sohail
Former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail feels a result against Pakistan in the ongoing One Day International series against New Zealand might weaken http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482’s case for captaincy in the forthcoming World Cup.
Aamer said that the six-match series in New Zealand, in all probability, is a last chance for the aggressive cricketer to press his claims, adding if Afridi failed to avail the opportunity, Misbah would emerge as a strong candidate for the captaincy role
in the mega event.
“If Afridi fails to handle pressure like a true leader against the Kiwis, Misbah will become a strong candidate for the World Cup captaincy,” he said.
The former opener feels that retaining Afridi as captain for the extravaganza even if he loses the six-match series against Kiwis would be a ‘gamble for Pakistan Cricket Board.’
Aamer said that if Afridi loses the ongoing series he will not be in a positive frame of mind and will be ‘under tremendous pressure’ so expecting any positive results from him would be Board’s credulity.
While Afridi is struggling for team performance as well as his individual performance, Misbah has led the side to a Test series win over Kiwis – Pakistan’s first series win since 2006. Misbah’s performance with the bat has also been remarkable and is just
a half-century away from equalling the record of seven consecutive fifties.
Aamer, who has also served Pakistan cricket in chief selector role, has urged Afridi to shape up quickly as a captain as well as a key performer. The former opening veteran of Pakistan has asked flamboyant Afridi to lead from the front with a responsible
game.
“Unfortunately, Afridi failed to perform like a frontline leader during the year 2010,” said the former opener. “Though he batted and bowled with some responsibility at the last year’s World Twenty20 and Asia Cup, he could not maintain it in many other contests,
raising doubts over his ability to lead the team astutely.”
The 44-year-old cricketer turned commentator also lashed Afridi’s bowling strategy saying that he always starts his bowling spell quite early in a match when there is no pressure at all. Being a captain, Aamer wants Afridi to deliver under field restrictions.
The former left-handed opening batsman further added that winning or losing does not matter as such in a game and the most important thing is the body language of players.
Aamer Sohail also heavily criticised Afridi’s move of retiring from Test cricket in the midst of series against Australia.
“Afridi’s refusal to lead the side against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricket,” said the scathing former captain. “The player’s abrupt move forced PCB to pick Salman
Butt as captain during the series.”
Aamer thought that the embarrassing spot-fixing scandal could have been averted had Afridi not retired from Test cricket in England in 2010.
Aamer also criticised the former Pakistan cricketers who are supporting Afridi as captain for the esteemed World Cup event which gets underway in the subcontinent on 19 February, 2011.
He picked http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 for the role praising the mental toughness proven by the middle-order batsman in the recently concluded two-match Test series which Pakistan won 1-0.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 on Wednesday and a decision in this regard is expected on Saturday, 29 January, 2011.
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