Testing England conditions would put Afridi’s captaincy to litmus test: Imran
June 21st, 2010 - 1:30 pm ICT by ANIKarachi, June 21 (ANI): Despite Pakistan failing to taste any major success under the new skipper Shahid Afridi, former captain Imran Khan is satisfied with his efforts and said that Afridi’s real test would be the forthcoming exhaustive tour of England.
“Wait and see. So far I would say his captaincy has been satisfactory. But the real test will come in England where you play Tests in testing conditions,” Imran said.
Commenting on Pakistan’s surrender in the match against arch-rivals India in the ongoing Asia Cup, the former skipper said the loss highlighted that the players needed to polish their performance more.
“The Asia Cup was a good preparation for the England tour where we have to play all formats of the game. The team needs improvement in some aspects,” The Daily Times quoted Imran, as saying.
He also pointed out that the Pakistani batsmen would be tested to their limits during the England tour because of which it was necessary to include experienced middle order batsman Younis Khan in the squad for the three month long tour of England.
“I would like to see Younus back in the side. In England your batting is going to be tested. You can’t just push youngsters into the deep end,” said Imran, one of Pakistan’s most successful captains.
He also reiterated his long held view that coaches do not have any role in the improvement of team performance.
“I have never believed in this concept of coaching in cricket because it is a sport where the individual matter. It is all about how much effort, hard work and time an individual is willing to put into his game and his fitness. The same rule applies for batting, bowling or fielding,” Imran said. (ANI)
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Tags: arch rivals, asia cup, bowling, cricket, england tour, fitness, game, India, june 21, karachi, litmus test, match, pakistan, skipper, surrender, team performance, youngsters, younis khan