Thaindian News

Karachi, Jan 24 (IANS) Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq Monday criticised the board for delaying naming of the team captain for the World Cup starting Feb 19.The legendary Test batsman said the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) indecision is creating disharmony in the national team and it will affect Pakistan’s chances in the World Cup.

“With only three weeks left to the World Cup, Pakistan have no captain and the blame goes to the PCB for creating an impasse which has divided the team into two groups, supporting Afridi and Misbah,” said Inzamam.

According to reports, the PCB is unable to decide whether to stick with one-day captain Shahid Afridi or Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

“In this scenario, one cannot have high expectations for the team. I am surprised, why does it always happen to Pakistan?”

Inzamam said the PCB will have to bear the brunt of a public outrage if Pakistan flopped in the World Cup just like the last two editions in 2003 and 2007. In 2003, Pakistan were knocked out of the first round in South Africa and in 2007, a loss against minnows Ireland saw them making a first round exit in the Caribbean.

“The PCB has failed to control the situation and if the team does badly in the World Cup, people will accuse the players and not the board,” he warned.

Inzamam also criticized the PCB for naming the World Cup team without the consent of the coach and captain.

“If the team loses, the captain and coach will say that it was not their team and was selected without their consent. And they will rightly not accept responsibility for a poor showing,” he said.

“When a team is without a captain how can a proper strategy be made? The team is playing a one-day series in New Zealand but they do not know who will be their captain in the World Cup which is very damaging.”