Updated at: 0619 PST, Friday, February 04, 2011
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) late on Thursday night resolved to retain Shahid Khan Afridi as captain to lead the Pakistan side in the cricket World Cup, to be held from February 19 to April 2 in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam claimed this while talking to media after Pakistan won an ODI series against Kiwis by 3-1 after 17 years in New Zealand.
The PCB announced their 15-man squad for the showpiece event on January 18 but did not announce a skipper until today (Friday).
Pakistan’s current limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi and the Test skipper Misbahul Haq were the two contenders for leading the team in the World Cup.
They downplayed the ongoing row but former players lashed out PCB, saying the decision was likely to harm team’s unity.
Afridi had earlier said: “It would not be an issue for me if I am removed from captaincy.”
“It doesn’t make a difference whether Misbah leads the side or I lead the side because we both are playing for our country.”
Afridi had also dismissed reports of differences with Misbah. “We don’t have any differences. He is a good player who remains focused on his job,” Afridi maintained.
