Lahore, Feb 4: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to retain Shahid Afridi as captain to lead the national squad in the ICC World Cup, which will be held from February 19 to April 2 in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam made this claim while talking to media persons after Pakistan won an ODI series against Kiwis by 3-1 after a gap of 17 years in New Zealand, Geo TV reported.
The PCB had announced Pakistan's 15-member squad for the mega event on January 18, but astonished everyone by not announcing a skipper for the team.
Earlier this week, PCB chief Ijaz Butt told Pakistani media persons in Napier that the team captain for the forthcoming World Cup would be announced on February 4, a day before the final match of their ongoing one-day series against New Zealand.
"We will announce the captain on February 4, that is decided now," Butt was quoted, as saying.
Pakistan's current limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi and Test skipper Misbahul Haq were the two contenders for leading the team in the World Cup.
Though former players blasted the PCB, saying the decision to delay the announcement of the captain's name was likely to harm the team's unity, both contenders downplayed the ongoing row.
"It would not be an issue for me if I am removed from captaincy," Afridi was quoted as saying.
"It doesn't make a difference whether Misbah leads the side or I lead the side because we both are playing for our country," he added.
Afridi also dismissed reports of differences with Misbah, saying, "We don't have any differences. He is a good player who remains focused on his job."
Misbah also came out in Afridi's support, saying that he had been doing a good job as the captain of the one-day team and had gelled the players well together.
"I think Shahid has done a great job as captain and he has kept the team together and every player is contributing and wants to do well. He has led well," Misbah said.
"The team has gelled well. Whoever is the captain, everyone will play for the team and for the country," he maintained. (ANI)
Similar
- Shahzaib Hasan ‘disappointed’ over Pak World Cup snub
- PCB to videotape domestic matches to deal with players’ indiscipline
- Afridi’s loss in NZ will be Misbah’s gain in Pak WC captaincy issue: Aamir Sohail
- Inzamam blasts PCB for dividing Pak team into Afridi and Misbah camps
- Pak runaway keeper Zulqarnain’s intention to sue PCB futile, says legal advisor
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.