Afridi emerges as "strong candidate" for WC Team Captain [Jang Report, Sources]

[MRSN]

[MRSN]

sensible decision taken by ,Thank God there will be no changing in captaincy just before world cup

[Dr Khan]

Should have been done long time ago.

[insaftak]

Good Luck To Afridi and the team. I now fully back Afridi.

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by insaftak Good Luck To Afridi and the team. I now fully back Afridi.

I thought you always did. Good luck to team Pakistan. I am sure they will play as a unit, and bring the cup home and let the ICC know they can deprive us from hosting the world cup but they can never take that cup away from us this time. Ameen. Go Pakistan

[saeed-sohail]

InshaAllah we will lift that cup in Mumbai.

[Cover shot]

Thank you God that finally PCB have taken a good decision for Pakistan Cricket

[Liverpool_Faizan]

expect the pcb to come out tomorrow and say that yousuf is coming back as captain

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by saeed-sohail InshaAllah we will lift that cup in Mumbai.

InshaAllah.

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by Cover shot Thank you God that finally PCB have taken a good decision for Pakistan Cricket

Yes I am glad they took the decision. That should have been done long time ago.

[MIG]

If we lose the series to nz?

Funny thing is that decision for his captaincy hinged upon his personal performance! So as long as HE performs well its ok

Wierd logic by pcb

[MalikMohsin]

^ Salaam, my friend!

However, the impression from isaftak was meant to say whoever the captain is announced for the WC will be fully supported. The decision of announcing the captain for the WC should have been earlier, but delaying till the end of ODI series, and also Misbah has caught our attention and PCB as well, and provided backup choice just in case if Pakistan doesn't win ODI series. PCB should have waited till the end of series. Because of delaying the announce of captain is what motivated Afridi to perform as he wasn't willing to take captaincy for granted. Poor choice by PCB. We need the competitive team and captain. That's what will earn us the WC.

On the other hand, by any chance Jang still remain reliable source? Let's hope so. We will support whoever is captain for WC even if it's Misbah, but Afridi supporters may beg to differ though sadly.

[insaftak]

Originally Posted by insaaniyat I thought you always did. Good luck to team Pakistan. I am sure they will play as a unit, and bring the cup home and let the ICC know they can deprive us from hosting the world cup but they can never take that cup away from us this time. Ameen. Go Pakistan

I always thought there was hope for captaincy going back to younis khan but it wasn't meant to. Afridi and team will have to work really hard to bring back the cup and smiles to pakistan.

[Afridi_Fan]

^^^

How about then we keep on delaying naming the captain in the WC for the next game and keep on naming captains on the basis of each game?

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by insaftak I always thought there was hope for captaincy going back to younis khan but it wasn't meant to. Afridi and team will have to work really hard to bring back the cup and smiles to pakistan.

YK was never in the race for captaincy my friend. This always was a two candidates race.

[Dr Khan]

So going by PCB logic, if the NZ fielder, Hamesh (something) had not dropped Afridi in the last game, then may be Misbah would have become captain

[Dr Khan]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan YK was never in the race for captaincy my friend. This always was a two candidates race.

Its a shame that YK was not in race because he is the best person suitable for the job

[insaftak]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan YK was never in the race for captaincy my friend. This always was a two candidates race.

The world cup winning captain is always in the race for captaincy

[Afridi_Fan]

Okay people, don't you think its about time to get behind the team and leave this bashing of few players aside?

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin ^ Salaam, my friend! However, the impression from isaftak was meant to say whoever the captain is announced for the WC will be fully supported. The decision of announcing the captain for the WC should have been earlier, but delaying till the end of ODI series, and also Misbah has caught our attention and PCB as well, and provided backup choice just in case if Pakistan doesn't win ODI series. PCB should have waited till the end of series. Because of delaying the announce of captain is what motivated Afridi to perform as he wasn't willing to take captaincy for granted. Poor choice by PCB. We need the competitive team and captain. That's what will earn us the WC. On the other hand, by any chance Jang still remain reliable source? Let's hope so. We will support whoever is captain for WC even if it's Misbah, but Afridi supporters may beg to differ though sadly.

Salam and I agrree with you, it's time to support the team. Jang is right about this news. I do not agree with the captaincy, but we need to support what we have. My worry is that Afridi has already given his once in a blue moon peroformance. That means usually we have to wait for another 20-30 matches to see him perform.

[*sallu*]

If it was up to Butt he would give both and 1 warm up game each and then decide

[Afridi_Fan]

Just forget about what I said, some will continue to bash few players and some will continue to support others. Thats how Pakistan cricket works. Sorry for asking getting behind the team for a change.

[MalikMohsin]

Originally Posted by insaaniyat Salam and I agrree with you, it's time to support the team. Jang is right about this news. I do not agree with the captaincy, but we need to support what we have. My worry is that Afridi has already given his once in a blue moon peroformance. That means usually we have to wait for another 20-30 matches to see him perform.

W/Salaam again!

Jang is right about this news, but however, the reliable of this source begs to differ. Let's hope this article is proven accurate or true.
Afridi has been inconsistent in his whole career, but when it comes to major tournaments like WC, WC T20, Champion Trophy, he can be surprise weapon. Let's hope he proves to be surprise weapon in WC 2011, Insha'Allah!

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin W/Salaam again! Jang is right about this news, but however, the reliable of this source begs to differ. Let's hope this article is proven accurate or true. Afridi has been inconsistent in his whole career, but when it comes to major tournaments like WC, WC T20, Champion Trophy, he can be surprise weapon. Let's hope he proves to be surprise weapon in WC 2011, Insha'Allah!

We sure do need him in the team. He sure can turn the match around bu himself on his day. I just think captaincy effects his a game a lot in a bad way. The other day a good platform was set for him to shine, he didn't have any pressure and he showed his true talent and won us the match.

[NJamal]

Originally Posted by insaaniyat Salam and I agrree with you, it's time to support the team. Jang is right about this news. I do not agree with the captaincy, but we need to support what we have. My worry is that Afridi has already given his once in a blue moon peroformance. That means usually we have to wait for another 20-30 matches to see him perform.

Like we PPers had to wait for once in a blue positive post from insaaniyat. Come on let it be and get behind Afridi for one last time. Afridi is the right man to lead us in WC 2011.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by insaaniyat We sure do need him in the team. He sure can turn the match around bu himself on his day. I just think captaincy effects his a game a lot in a bad way. The other day a good platform was set for him to shine, he didn't have any pressure and he showed his true talent and won us the match.

What are you smoking?

In the last game there was no pressure? If Afridi had failed would we have scored 250? And as far as your once in a bluemoon argument goes that is also flawed. Afridi has a batting average if mid thirties as a captain, so does that suggests that he raises his game while being a captain or the levels get dropped?

Enough with this dual approach of yours, oh I fully support Afridi. And then in the next breath start to say things like once in a bluemoon and fails under pressure, without any facts at all.

[ali_ed2006]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan Okay people, don't you think its about time to get behind the team and leave this bashing of few players aside?

I agree. This is the time we all back the team no matter who we wanted as captain, because it doesn't matter who is the captain, as long as we win!

Although I hope all the players back Afridi, because that is the most important thing. After reading news recently that some players wanted Afridi and some Misbah, it doesn't sound that great. Grouping within the team before the WC is the last thing we want. We saw what happened in 2003 when players didn't back Waqar as captain.

So best of luck to Afridi and Team Pakistan.

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan What are you smoking? In the last game there was no pressure? If Afridi had failed would we have scored 250? And as far as your once in a bluemoon argument goes that is also flawed. Afridi has a batting average if mid thirties as a captain, so does that suggests that he raises his game while being a captain or the levels get dropped? Enough with this dual approach of yours, oh I fully support Afridi. And then in the next breath start to say things like once in a bluemoon and fails under pressure, without any facts at all.

ok.

[MalikMohsin]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan What are you smoking? In the last game there was no pressure? If Afridi had failed would we have scored 250? And as far as your once in a bluemoon argument goes that is also flawed. Afridi has a batting average if mid thirties as a captain, so does that suggests that he raises his game while being a captain or the levels get dropped? Enough with this dual approach of yours, oh I fully support Afridi. And then in the next breath start to say things like once in a bluemoon and fails under pressure, without any facts at all.

Misbah and Hafeez have set the platform for Afridi and the rest of sloggers to shine their talents. We must remember the first ODI and similar like this in the past. Every times, Pakistan team is in under pressure and the whole team panic including Afridi which the way he throw the wicket away does prove like as in he is debuting the match.
Whether Afridi perform or not, there is no pressure on him, and there never been, and i am afraid i can't say the same for the rest of team especially player like Misbah who gets a lot of stick for playing according the situation, and sometimes, plan doesn't go accordingly.

Afridi is not under pressure player and never has been. Think about it. Why do you think his average does sound like tailender? Only hope for middle orders to play till the 35 to 40, and therefore, Afridi would never have to be in under pressure and play his own natural game. Sometimes, he is required to play according to the situation which he never does. That's what i fear for the WC.

[hussnainn]

Its not over till its over when it comes to

[MalikMohsin]

Originally Posted by njamal574 Like we PPers had to wait for once in a blue positive post from insaaniyat. Come on let it be and get behind Afridi for one last time. Afridi is the right man to lead us in WC 2011.

Afridi is not right man, and certainly not who escape from responsibility all the times and put pressures on youngsters. The reason why we are supporting Afridi as captain because of our love for nation. That's something most Afridi supporters will never understand, i am afraid.

[kingusama92]

Correct decision.

Could have done without the nagging delay, though.

There was no reason for Afridi to lose his captaincy.

The team has been under his rule for the past little while. The world cup is looming and it would have been silly to change the captain at this juncture.

[Afridi_Fan]

An average of 36 as captain is that of a tailender?

If the top order fails on regular basis, can/will you blame Afridi for the failure to get a decent score or the top order?

And those who think that there was no pressure on him in the last ODI, get serious guys. If he had failed we probably would not have made 250, forget about 293. That fact that you know you are under the microscope and if you failed that will mean probably another loss. I think that is pressure. Might be wrong according to some dictionaries.

[hussnainn]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan An average of 36 as captain is that of a tailender? If the top order fails on regular basis, can/will you blame Afridi for the failure to get a decent score or the top order? And those who think that there was no pressure on him in the last ODI, get serious guys. If he had failed we probably would not have made 250, forget about 293. That fact that you know you are under the microscope and if you failed that will mean probably another loss. I think that is pressure. Might be wrong according to some dictionaries.

Sir aap to ghussa ee kar gaey hain

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin Afridi is not right man, and certainly not who escape from responsibility all the times and put pressures on youngsters. The reason why we are supporting Afridi as captain because of our love for nation. That's something most Afridi supporters will never understand, i am afraid.

I dont think you saw my stance on this captaincy thing. Free Hit made that famous thread about accepting Misbah as captain. But you have this belief that we Afridites rate Afridi higher than the country, and we simply can not do a thing about it. So keep on believing that, we really don't care.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by hussnainn Sir aap to ghussa ee kar gaey hain

Job ju nahi mili yaar.

But ju kuch kaha, kia ghalat kaha?

[hussnainn]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan Job ju nahi mili yaar. But ju kuch kaha, kia ghalat kaha?

Bilkul Nahi... Sahi kaha

INSHALLAH you'll get a job as well very soon.

Good Luck with that!

[NJamal]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin Afridi is not right man, and certainly not who escape from responsibility all the times and put pressures on youngsters. The reason why we are supporting Afridi as captain because of our love for nation. That's something most Afridi supporters will never understand, i am afraid.

My friend I not only support Afridi but also the 10 other guys who are playing for Pakistan. I am a supporter of Pakistan Cricket team not Afridi.

[saeed-sohail]

We are coming to Mumbai to get that trophy.Dum hai to roko.
Com'n men in green we are right behind you.

[saeed-sohail]

We are coming to Mumbai to get that trophy.Dum hai to roko.
Com'n men in green we are right behind you.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by saeed-sohail We are coming to Mumbai to get that trophy.Dum hai to roko. Com'n men in green we are right behind you.

Thats more like it.

Ji Oye Pakistan.

Di Oye Pakistan.

[MRSN]

Afridi just needs few advices and I think senior players like Younis and Misbah should advise him if he makes wrong decisions.

[insaaniyat]

Originally Posted by njamal574 Like we PPers had to wait for once in a blue positive post from insaaniyat. Come on let it be and get behind Afridi for one last time. Afridi is the right man to lead us in WC 2011.

Yeh tou waqt bataaaye gaa. But I do agree with you, time to support the team without any reservation about any player

[MIG]

BTW the Jang Headline in OP states that Afridi has again become a "strong candidate" for captain !

Where does it say that he has been appointed captain?

There is no offical release from PCB so this remains a rumor.

[Usman]

Lets not forget that this news is yet to be reported by a credible source. But if it is true then it is right decision and one which should hafe been made at the time the squad was announced. Afridi has led the team for some time now and the reason you allow a captain to do that is so that he and the team can build confidence and momentum, all the time thinking about the next world cup. You don't just replace the captain a couple of weeks before the biggest event in cricket. You've invested in the guy and now you should show some trust in him. Afridi has led the team just fine. It's easy to sit on your arm chair and throw insults, but the reality is that the team has done well under Afridi. Under intense spot fixing allegation pressure, we ran a much stronger England very close. We ran an even stronger South Africa just as close. We've got a good squad (apart from Sohail Tanvir) and we've got as good a chance as anyone to win it. So lets get behimd our boys now and leave behind all the arguments!

[MIG]

Usman the news item merely states that he is a strong candidate - no decision has been taken !

[insaaniyat]

^ MIG Bhai even though it doesn't say that, but we all know he would be the captain

[MIG]

Originally Posted by insaaniyat ^ MIG Bhai even though it doesn't say that, but we all know he would be the captain

Theek hai but lets not confuse our impression with what is reality.

[Afridi_Fan]

And the wait goes on and on and on and on.

[hussnainn]

Originally Posted by MIG Usman the news item merely states that he is a strong candidate - no decision has been taken !

+19829871289371

can come up with anything ..

[waqar_ahmad]

WE should be behind the captain, and the team a 100%.

WC comes once every 4 years. Dont spoil it by negative comments. Back afridi, InshaAllah he will win the cup for us

[saamry]

I just do not see Misbah taking good control over the ODI team. Misbah seems to have a very dosile personality.

IMO, he is there in case Pak top order collapses, so he can come in and tie down one end.

Make Afridi the captain and stop pretending to be important Mr Butt.

[MRSN]

PCB set to retain Afridi as skipper for World Cup(NDTV)

The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt in all likelihood will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players back Misbah-ul Haq as the leader. According to sources, Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the fact that some consider Misbah to be a better choice. The scales seemed to have heavily tilted in favour of Afridi after the dashing batsman smashed 65 off only 25 deliveries during Pakistan's series levelling win against New Zealand yesterday. "Butt has come to the conclusion after discussing the captaincy issue with the team management and others that it would be unwise to change the captain at such a stage and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated. There was plenty of debate in the cricketing circles after the PCB announced the World Cup squad of 15 players last month but didn't name the captain. Many former players consider Afridi to be too temperamental to be given the responsibility of captaining in the World Cup and others warning against changing the captain at so late a stage. Former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik has also added his voice to the captaincy debate supporting Afridi. "I don't think it is a good move to change the captain now. When Afridi is leading the team since the last one year, it makes no sense to change him now," Malik said. Malik also called on the board to follow a consistent policy while appointing a captain. "Anyone who is appointed captain should be given a long run to prove himself. A captain must be given security and assurance he will be there for a proper period of time that way even the players will throw their full weight behind him. Changing captains frequently has already damaged the team in the past," Malik said.

[hussnainn]

**Just IN**

CRICKET: PCB to announce Captain for World Cup 2011 on February 4: PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt

http://www.facebook.com/expressinter...85475701483416

[hussnainn]

So us waiting for the results till 5th ODI. Apparently, it is still not decided as i expected

[Afridi_Fan]

Thank You Mr Butt, just thank you very much. How about announce Misbah the captain RIGHT NOW, and move on?

[hussnainn]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan Thank You Mr Butt, just thank you very much. How about announce Misbah the captain RIGHT NOW, and move on?

Relax Dude.. Let's hope that we kick some NZ A** in next matches..

[MB]

Dunno if this article has been linked to before, but I found this paragraph quite interesting:

Sources even indicated that Ijaz was facing pressure from the top over the captaincy issue. “Most of the major sponsors who have invested lot of money in the tournament in Pakistan have already prepared their campaigns with Afridi as captain in their commercials and are concerned about any late change in the leadership, said a inside source at the PCB. “These companies are also lobbying within the government to ensure that the Pakistan board does not change Afridi as captain for the World Cup.”

Source

[qamar84]

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, in all likelihood, will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players are backing Misbah-ul Haq as the leader.

According to sources, Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the fact that some consider Misbah to be a better choice.

The scales seemed to have heavily tilted in favour of Afridi after the dashing batsman smashed 65 off only 25 deliveries during Pakistan's series levelling win against New Zealand on Saturday.

"Butt has come to the conclusion after discussing the captaincy issue with the team management and others that it would be unwise to change the captain at such a stage and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated.

He said the board would most likely end the captaincy debate by announcing the captain in next 24 hours.

There was plenty of debate in the cricketing circles after the PCB announced the World Cup squad of 15 players last month but did not name the captain.

Many former players consider Afridi to be too temperamental to be given the responsibility of captaining in the World Cup and others warning against changing the captain at such a late stage.

Former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik has also added his voice to the captaincy debate supporting Afridi.

"I don't think it is a good move to change the captain now. Since Afridi has been leading the team for the last year, it makes no sense to change him now," Malik said. "Changing captains frequently has already damaged the team in the past."

sources geo tv

[a_k]

They could have announced this earlier , one inning changed all the scene.....why create drama?

[hussnainn]

There is already a thread on this...

[qamar84]

Originally Posted by hussnainn There is already a thread on this...

it's the latest

[Afridi_Fan]

Already posted. Same news different source doesn't make it latest yaar.

[hussnainn]

Latest is that the captain will be announced on 4th.

[qamar84]

Originally Posted by hussnainn latest is that the captain will be announced on 4th.

+1 I'm just sharing

[haroonrasheed320]

I don't understand this logic of announcing something that is already known on a particular date, i mean post it on your official website & get on with it, why so much drama?

[Faisalabadimunda]

could have announced it before,oh, i guess its typical within the pcb.

[pakfan86]

If Afridi is not a captain, then is he a Vice-captain? who will be the Vice-captain?
Butt will announce VC on 19th Feb?

[qamar84]

Originally Posted by pakfan86 If Afridi is not a captain, then is he a Vice-captain? who will be the Vice-captain? Butt will announce VC on 19th Feb?

they said on the news within 24H

[Proud To Be A Pakistani]

well finally Mr.Ijaz Butt sahab woke up ... I hope its announced soon so we can move to more meaningful cricketing issues

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by qamar84 and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated.

wait, what? Late 2009 - vs NZ in the UAE, our ODI captain was YK.. then mid to late Jan 2010, in the series against Australia, our ODI captain was Yousuf. And I think we didn't play any ODIs after that until like June, in the Asia Cup? Wasn't Afridi only made captain then?