Misbah wanted to draw the match but Afridi had other plans. Afridi made 76 in 55 balls and the rest of the team made 120 in 245 balls. Seen from the opposite end Misbah made 52 in 121 balls and the rest of the team made 144 in 179 balls. Misbah only hit one four in 121 balls. Eleventh time, Misbah’s run rate was lowest among those in double figures. No wonder Misbah was dead against the selection of Afridi and Akmal because they ruffle the defensive spirit he assiduously inculcates. Misbah is the worst one-day Pakistan captain I have seen at this level. In cricket captain is a leader in truest sense. Except for a couple of mavericks in the dressing room, a cricket captain builds the team in his own image. Harbajan, Zaheer, Yuvraj etc all emulated Ganguly’s fire and abrasiveness. Jadeja, Kohli, Ashwin reflect Dhoni’s unruffled assuredness. Look how England’s team has changed from Strauss to Cook from combative to (still good but) collegial. Misbah is destroying a generation of Pakistan cricket by teaching them to play defensively. That is not our grain. Adding method and discipline to attack is a different thing though. Shahid Afridi, who is half as intelligent as Misbah was a much better one day captain because he was not afraid to take risks even with his unimaginative mind.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 06:31:46 +0000
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