Former Pakistan cricketers were divided on PCB’s indecision over the captaincy issue ahead of World Cup 2011.
Iqbal Qasim, the former Test spinner, flayed the move and said that the uncertainty could harm Pakistan’s World Cup hopes.
“By not naming the captain, the PCB has acted unwisely because all this uncertainty might not be good for our team,” said Qasim, a former chief selector.
But Qasim added that apart from the captaincy issue, things seem fine for Pakistan. “As far as the selection is concerned, I believe it’s a balanced team,” he said.
On Mohammad Yousuf exclusion, Qasim said that the aging batter didn’t deserve a place in the squad. “It’s hard to find a place for Yousuf because senior batsmen like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan are performing really well at the moment.”
He also hailed the decision to select Sohail Tanvir ahead of paceman Tanvie Ahmed. “Sohail Tanvir has the sort of awkward action that can add variety to our bowling attack,” he said.
Abdul Qadir, another ex-Test spinner, also backed the move to overlook Yousuf. “It is a good decision because he wasn’t required after successful comebacks by Misbah and Younis,” said Qadir, also a former chief selector.
Qadir also supported PCB over its decision to delay naming Pakistan’s World Cup captain. “It’s a good tactic and will keep Shahid Afridi under pressure,” he said.
However, former Test fast bowler Sikander Bakht, believes it’s a ‘silly’ decision.
“It’s totally silly not to announce a captain and leaving uncertainty around the team,” he told ‘The News’. “Such foolish decisions cause divisions in the team. Our players would now be looking both at Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and One-day skipper Shahid Afridi. This can harm Pakistan as loyalties would be divided.”
He said that Mohammad Yousuf has rightly been left out.
“For me personally, Yousuf should only concentrate on playing Tests just like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. He should have retired from one-day and Twenty20 cricket two years back.”
Shoaib Mohammad, the former Test opener, felt that Yousuf has been victimised by the board.
“Yousuf should have been in World Cup team as he is the only top-class player in our team but he has fallen prey to the dirty politics of the PCB,” he said.
Former Test pacer Jalaluddin, however, welcomed the decision to drop Yousuf. “The game today is very fast and Yousuf’s exclusion will not really affect the team.
“Though he has experience on his side but Yousuf is not fit to play in 50-over matches and is not in greatest of form either.
“So calling back him in such a big event could have backfired. We have some talented young batsmen who have shown the guts and we’ve done well by showing trust in them.”
Iqbal Qasim, the former Test spinner, flayed the move and said that the uncertainty could harm Pakistan’s World Cup hopes.
“By not naming the captain, the PCB has acted unwisely because all this uncertainty might not be good for our team,” said Qasim, a former chief selector.
But Qasim added that apart from the captaincy issue, things seem fine for Pakistan. “As far as the selection is concerned, I believe it’s a balanced team,” he said.
On Mohammad Yousuf exclusion, Qasim said that the aging batter didn’t deserve a place in the squad. “It’s hard to find a place for Yousuf because senior batsmen like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan are performing really well at the moment.”
He also hailed the decision to select Sohail Tanvir ahead of paceman Tanvie Ahmed. “Sohail Tanvir has the sort of awkward action that can add variety to our bowling attack,” he said.
Abdul Qadir, another ex-Test spinner, also backed the move to overlook Yousuf. “It is a good decision because he wasn’t required after successful comebacks by Misbah and Younis,” said Qadir, also a former chief selector.
Qadir also supported PCB over its decision to delay naming Pakistan’s World Cup captain. “It’s a good tactic and will keep Shahid Afridi under pressure,” he said.
However, former Test fast bowler Sikander Bakht, believes it’s a ‘silly’ decision.
“It’s totally silly not to announce a captain and leaving uncertainty around the team,” he told ‘The News’. “Such foolish decisions cause divisions in the team. Our players would now be looking both at Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and One-day skipper Shahid Afridi. This can harm Pakistan as loyalties would be divided.”
He said that Mohammad Yousuf has rightly been left out.
“For me personally, Yousuf should only concentrate on playing Tests just like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. He should have retired from one-day and Twenty20 cricket two years back.”
Shoaib Mohammad, the former Test opener, felt that Yousuf has been victimised by the board.
“Yousuf should have been in World Cup team as he is the only top-class player in our team but he has fallen prey to the dirty politics of the PCB,” he said.
Former Test pacer Jalaluddin, however, welcomed the decision to drop Yousuf. “The game today is very fast and Yousuf’s exclusion will not really affect the team.
“Though he has experience on his side but Yousuf is not fit to play in 50-over matches and is not in greatest of form either.
“So calling back him in such a big event could have backfired. We have some talented young batsmen who have shown the guts and we’ve done well by showing trust in them.”
