Ex-Pakistani opener and Coach Mudassar Nazar is a concerned man. The Pakistan cricket team is in the eye of another storm, this time the relationship between Shahid Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis is under the scanner.

Afridi being axed as skipper for the tour of Ireland is the latest bombshell dropped by the Pakistan Cricket Board, and as a keen follower of Pakistani cricket, Mudassar has a lot on his mind which he shared in an exclusive chat with PakPassion.net

Unlike many observers of crises in Pakistani cricket, Mudassar did not feel that the situation was beyond reprieve. He stated that “This is not the first time Afridi has given such statements, which are contrary to his contractual obligations to the PCB. In addition there are issues about his relationship with Waqar Younis, although we don’t really know the full facts behind this dispute. Whatever the case, both problems can be sorted out in a second. He [Afridi] should be reminded of his obligations, and as Waqar and Afridi both have played together for a long time, both just need to sit down, define boundaries and work as a team - Waqar and Afridi should resolve their differences”

Mudassar wasn’t overly concerned with the temporary appointment of Misbah as captain on the Irish tour but the solution to captaincy on a long term basis was a simple – the only complication being the inner workings of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He stated that “On a temporary basis its [Misbah as captain] fine, and after the Irish tour is over, who knows will be in charge of Pakistan cricket by then! Or if [PCB Chairman] Mr. Butt changes his mind and decides to bring Afridi back again. The best solution would be for Afridi to stay as captain of Pakistan’s ODI Team - Misbah is doing well in forms of cricket, let him continue to lead in Test cricket. ”

Mudassar – who has represented Pakistan in 198 internationals – expressed his opposition to total revamp of the leadership of the Pakistan team in ODI or Test versions as in his view both teams had the right leadership in place.

“I don’t think the time is right, the team is doing fine, look at their performances in New Zealand and at the World Cup. They are not the best team in the world, they are performing beyond expectations and are rebuilding. Afridi with all his experience should stay as captain in the one day format only, don’t pressurize him and bring him into Test cricket. Misbah will do fine as interim captain in Test cricket could go on for a year, and then after that we look at someone younger.”

He also felt that the current crisis wasn’t simply caused by issues within the team and external media influences on this matter could also be blamed, stating that “I see this as a conspiracy, it always happens. Some of the media start targeting the coaches straight away, and they always start saying there are problems in the Pakistan camp, putting so much pressure on the PCB to take [unnecessary] action.”

As the storm that has hit Pakistani cricket may thankfully be receding as Afridi takes a few days away from the game, the larger question of his future remains in the fore. Mudassar, reiterated his complete faith in Afridi as captain for the ODI team but interestingly, also put out the name of candidate for a future replacement.

“We’ve got someone who is coming along really well such as Hafeez, he only has to maintain his form. If he can do that and start scoring runs in Test cricket, then he may well be the choice for the captaincy in all 3 formats.”

Given the current state of Pakistani performances in the West Indian tour and lack of any solid contribution from Hafeez, the issue of captaincy is likely to remain open for a long time, with or without Afridi.