Najam Sethi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, yesterday backed Misbah-ul-Haq to lead Pakistan in One-Day Internationals, including the World Cup to be played next year in Australia and New Zealand.
Moin Khan, the chief selector, had on Tuesday hinted at a possible change in captaincy in ODIs, saying discussions were in progress and if there was a consensus, a change could be made.
But Sethi gave his support to Misbah, who has led the side in 71 ODIs since taking over in May 2011, winning 39 of them.
“I stand by my decision to retain Misbah as captain until the World Cup,” Sethi said.
Misbah, who turns 40 next month, has long faced criticism for his defensive approach as a leader, despite leading Pakistan to seven ODI series wins last year – a record for the country – in a 12-month period.
He is also Pakistan’s Test captain, and has led them in 27 Tests, with 12 wins, seven defeats and eight drawn matches to his name.
“Whatever the personal views of any of the selectors regarding who should be the captain, I am firm on my decision. Misbah has performed very well in both one-dayers and Tests and is one of the fittest players in the team,” said Sethi of Misbah, who scored 1,373 runs in ODIs in 2013 – the most by any player in the world.
As Pakistan prepare for the World Cup, which they won in 1992, Moin said fitness would be one of the key areas of focus, with fellow selector Mohammad Akram adding that the condition of all the players would be closely monitored and anyone missing targets would be fined.
Despite Sethi’s support, Misbah will remain under pressure, given Pakistan’s history of sacking captains and coaches after poor performances.
Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan’s former Twenty20 International captain, had stepped down from the post following Pakistan’s failure to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh last month.
Meanwhile, the selectors also announced a list of 36 probables for a training camp starting in Lahore on May 6. Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka for two Tests and three ODIs in late July.
Pakistan will also play Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates in November-December before touring New Zealand for a short ODI series in January ahead of the World Cup.
Salim Malik seeks lifting of life ban
Pakistan’s cricket authorities have promised to review the life ban imposed in 2000 on former captain Salim Malik for match-fixing.
The 51-year-old Malik met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi to seek to overturn the sanction.
Malik was banned for life in May 2000 after an inquiry commission found him guilty of offering bribes to Australian cricketers to under-perform in matches in 1994.
Malik’s name also featured in separate inquiries which resulted in life bans on Mohammad Azharuddin and Hansie Cronje.
“Malik met with chairman who heard his case and promised a review but we haven’t assured anything,” said PCB spokesman Amjad Hussain.
Malik told reporters he wanted the PCB to take the matter to the International Cricket Council, and added he was hopeful of a positive outcome.
