Hunt for a captain

Pakistan Cricket: Pakistan should look at Misbah, as well as beyond >

With ageing Misbah at the helm and Afridi retired and out of favour, PCB is finding it difficult to even name a deputy to Misbah, in order to groom a future captain. If they look assiduously, they have a few captaincy aspirants. But PCB wants a stooge rather than a man of character at the job, as recent history suggests.

For the moment, Misbah looks the ideal man to see through Pakistan’s transition. Although decision to recall players like Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat, and departure of Waqar Younis as coach, have come as big blows to the transition phase, the hope is still there. Ijaz Butt’s tenure is going to end in October. If a new chairman is then appointed, we can start, or restart, the new phase; provided who takes charge.

For the period post Misbah, PCB should start grooming a new captain. Before that, Younis Khan should be persuaded to take the job again. He has a few years left in him and, if given right environment and some free hand, he can bring Pakistan back on track.

If not, then Abdul Razzaq needs to be recalled, both as an all-rounder and a limited overs captain. He is experienced and respected by the players, and certainly has a place in the eleven - traits essential for a successful Pakistan captain.

By opening the door for Shoaib Malik to play for Pakistan again, PCB has half-opened another door for him, that is Pakistan’s captaincy. Although potentially a good captain, his tainted reputation is a big hurdle for him. Further, he has a habit of over-relying on certain players, at times favouring them out of the way.

He has been accused by fellow players of making groups, back-biting and conspiring against others. The fact that he cannot take every one along smoothly, Sania Mirza-fame Malik should be kept away from the job, for as long as possible.

If PCB wants to look beyond, they should not look beyond Azhar Ali. He is a promising talent and will form the backbone of Pakistan’s middle order in future. Still branded as a Test player, he has in him to become a good ODI player too. As he is hard working, clean and well-respected player, he is an ideal man for the tough job. He is destined to be Pakistan’s captain one day, better assign him sooner rather than later.

Mohammad Hafeez, although a good limited overs player, still has a lot to prove as a Test batsman. If he settles in and makes a good Test opener, he can be entrusted with the job. Nicknamed Professor, he will find it tough to captain as well as perform at the international level. But he is worth a try.

The negativities surrounding Umar Akmal make him unsuitable to be Pakistan’s captain. He is brother of Kamran Akmal, who has cloudy reputation regarding match-fixing and has disciplinary issues as well. Umar, too, has been found guilty of transgression on a few occasions. And his erratic personality and form do not make him a bright captaincy prospect.

Sohail Tanvir captained Rawalpindi Rams to a T20 trophy recently. Inspired by Shane Warne, he looked a good captaincy material, but his fitness issues and uncertainty over his Test selection pushes him back in the list of captaincy prospects. Umar Gul is senior enough to be considered for the role. But being a strike bowler, and that too injury prone, he should not be burdened further.

If PCB wants to go The Proteas’ way, they can name a young captain as well. In this regard, name of Asad Shafiq comes to mind. Apart from being a good player in both forms of the game, he has a good cricketing mind which is evident whenever he comes to bat. But it is highly unlikely that PCB goes that far.

Let’s hope Misbah-ul-Haq remains fit and keeps performing for another two years, as Pakistan looks for a suitable captain in the mean time.

If the cricketing authorities give time to a process they start, and be consistent in their decisions, Pakistan cricket can come out of quandary which it finds itself to be in at the moment.

Image credit - tribune.com.pk