Thaindian News

Karachi, April 3(ANI): Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf has praised Shahid Afridi for his “impressive” captaincy during the ICC World Cup 2011, saying that he had gelled the team well throughout the mega event.

“Afridi’s captaincy was impressive throughout the tournament,” The Express Tribune quoted Yousuf, as saying.

“The decisions he made during the tournament are commendable. Afridi made the team a unit and under him it has been shaped well,” he added.

Afridi was confirmed as captain of Pakistan’s World Cup squad just days before it left for the tournament, raising questions about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s trust placed in the all-rounder.

However, the skipper led his ‘rickety’ team to the semi-final stage, where its World Cup campaign ended in a 29-run defeat at the hands of India on March 30.

While commenting on Pakistan’s semi-final loss against India in Mohali, Yousuf noted that the wicket of middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq was crucial, as it affected Pakistan’s run-chase.

“He was playing very well and looked set to score big. However, it was unfortunate to lose him. Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan, on the other hand, were not up to mark as they scored at a slow rate,” he rued.

Yousuf also felt that while the Pakistan bowlers did their job, it was the batting line-up that let the team down.

“India mostly scored over 300 runs in the tournament but our bowlers did a good job by restricting them to a low total. It was mainly Pakistan’s batting performance that was below-par,” he maintained.

Yousuf also admitted that he wished to be part of the Pakistan team, especially when it was in crisis.

“I wished to perform for the team in the middle-order especially in the match against India.”

The former captain, however, avoided answering queries regarding his future plans. (ANI)