Waqar Warned by PCB Even as Misbah Expresses Interest in Captaincy for ICC World Cup 2011

Pakistan cricket captaincy is becoming a touchy topic with the Pakistan Cricket Board as they seek explanation from the Pakistan coach even as Misbah ul Haq is expressing his willingness to take on the role ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

waqar younis shahid afridi

Shahid Afridi will keep his fingers crossed as the PCB have named Pakistan's World Cup 2011 squad without really naming the captain. And that has only set the cat amongst the pigeons even as the PCB are weighing their options ahead of the big event.

What has turned the tide against Afridi was apparently two fold in that the Pakistan Twenty20 and ODI captain has offended the bosses and team mates by repeatedly speaking in the media and making comments that are sometimes better kept behind the doors of the boardroom and the dressing room.

Since Misbah ul Haq took over the Pakistan captaincy, the board is of the belief that the team is seeing a revival in Test cricket. That has been furthered by the fact that Pakistan drew the Test series in the UAE against South Africa and on winning the Test series against New Zealand.

While the board has chosen to haul up the Pakistan coach, Waqar Younis, over his comments in the media that he was surprised by the delay in the decision making and also, in the board not naming the captain when naming the squad, Misbah is equally vocal about not shying away from the captaincy should it roll to him.

With Misbah looking more impressive in their eyes, the board is contemplating a serious change of captaincy ahead of the World Cup, a huge gamble but one they believe may help Pakistan further their cause, particularly after they have lost the hosting rights and will have to play outside Pakistan. In that light, it becomes imperative for Pakistan to play to win and to impress. And the board believes that starts with the captain, even it means leaving the decision to the eleventh hour.