Time for Shahid Afridi to sit back at home and look after his children: Former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt

Ijaz Butt

Backing Misbah-ul-Haq to continue as the Pakistan One Day International (ODI) captain till the 2015 World Cup, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt criticised Shahid Afridi for his comments on captaincy a few days ago, asking him to “sit back at home and look after his children”.

Addressing the media after a discussion with the incumbent PCB chief Shahryar Khan, Butt said: "If you ask for my opinion I don't think he (Afridi) should be in the side on his performances but this is something for the selectors to decide. If they feel he still has a role to play in the team so be it."

Butt, who was at the helm between 2008 and 2011, was the one who sacked Afridi from captaincy on disciplinary grounds in 2011, despite the latter taking the team to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.

Backstory

Afridi, filling in for Misbah in the last of the just concluded three-ODI series against Australia, had said after the match: "Every captain has his own approach and I can't be Misbah and Misbah can't be Afridi. If he is comfortable with his approach then what is the problem? But players around him should not become Misbah. Each player has his own strengths and he should carry out what he is capable of rather than suppressing himself.”

The 34-year-old received serious flak from all sides for those “irresponsible” comments, which according to Shahryar seemed to indicate that there is a rift in the dressing room. Shahryar, in response, said: “The remarks made by Afridi are regretful and unfortunate and he should have avoided them. His remarks gave the indication something was wrong in the team.”

Misbah – the right choice

Butt urged the PCB to back the under-fire Misbah during tough times. He said: “Shaharyar is a noble and honest persons and I told him today that on the captaincy issue there is no need to remove Misbah-ul-Haq until the World Cup no matter what his form."

"Misbah has served Pakistan cricket well since the spot fixing scandal and led the side sensibly and intelligently and today if he is struggling for form he needs to be given full support and encouragement."

In addition to the team’s underwhelming performances, Misbah, who has been prolific over the years with the bat, has been finding to difficult to score runs, of late, which has compounded his issues.