Imran Khan backs Shahid Afridi
Monday, May 31, 2010
Pakistan’s legendary former captain Imran Khan spoke out in support of Shahid Afridi on Friday, saying the all-rounder should be given a long innings to stabilise a team hit by controversy.
“Afridi should be given a long run as Pakistan captain,” Imran said, adding that frequent rotations at the top destabilise the team.
“Since I retired in 1992, Australia has had only three captains while Pakistan has had more than two dozen and that is why there is a big difference between Pakistan and Australia.”
Facing a captaincy crisis after Younis Khan stepped down and Mohammad Yousuf was sacked, Pakistan on Tuesday appointed Afridi captain for next month’s Asia Cup and a subsequent tour of England.
Imran said Afridi, already leading Pakistan in the Twenty20 format since last year, was the only real choice.“Who else if not Afridi?” said Imran, Pakistan’s most successful captain with a World Cup triumph in 1992.
“I think if they had made anyone else captain, problems would surely have persisted, so I think Afridi was the best choice available.
“Afridi has been leading the team well in the Twenty20 format. A good captain should be brave, can handle pressure and should have the respect of the team, so let us give Afridi some time to settle and then judge him.
“You can never predict about him as a Test player and a captain until you give him a chance. If he was not playing Tests and now he intends to play, then maybe with responsibility he performs better.”
Afridi, who has not played a Test since 2006 because of family commitments, made himself available for the longer version of the game last week.
Imran said he does not agree with the idea of separate captains for different formats of the game.
“Cricket is the only sport where you need able leadership and if a captain is successful in one format he could be successful in all three,” he said.
Imran said Pakistan will need Yousuf for Tests in England.
“Pakistan need someone who can stay at the wicket for longer and Yousuf has that quality,” said Imran.—AFP
Labels: Imran Khan, Shahid Afridi
posted @ 7:37 PM,
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