Match Point
Why Hafeez should replace Misbah as captain

Why Hafeez should replace Misbah as captain

Hafeez’s personal performance speaks volumes - Hafeez is the natural and inevitable follow-up.

Faisal Nadeem March 25, 2013

Since the dreadful English summer of 2010—when Pakistan lost three key players due to the spot-fixing scandal—Misbahul Haq has been leading the Pakistan cricket team in at least two formats of the game.

Considering the tough circumstances, Misbah has done a commendable job—both as a player and as a captain.

Some of his achievements include the Asia Cup title (2012), ODI series win against India (2013), and a Test series white-wash (2012) against the then world number one Test side England in UAE.

It was Misbah’s calmness that helped improve the team’s Test ranking to number four. As a captain, he has won nine (four losses) out of 20 Test matches, and 21 (13 losses) out of 35 ODIs. His personal stats (averages: 43+ in Test matches, and 41+ in ODIs) are also reasonably poised.

However, the devil lies in the details - Misbah’s critics believe that most of his wins are based in favourable sub-continental conditions, and against the weaker oppositions, such as Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Ireland (11 of his 21).

Additionally, his current batting forms, recent on-field decisions, his increasing age, and his role in team selections are all under a severe scanner, especially after a humiliating 3-0 drubbing against South Africa.

There is a call for the change of leadership. Sooner or later, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will need to make a decision. But do we have enough eligible candidates for the job?

Pakistan’s automatic choices

Every team has a bunch of automatic choices, around which the selectors normally nurture younger players. For instance, Indian ODI side has a pool of established players like Dhoni, Kohli, Yuvraj, Raina, and Gambhir. Rest of the selection revolves around this ‘select-group’. India can easily groom a young player (like Kohli or Raina) for future leadership assignments.

The question is how many players constitute Pakistan’s select-group?

In the current ODI setup, Nasir Jamshed, Junaid Khan, and Umar Akmal are still not too experienced. Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, and Asad Shafique are all struggling for their places.

Pondering over it deeply, I could only come up with Ajmal, Hafeez, and Gul.

Out of these three, Gul doesn’t seem like captaincy material. Ajmal is too old (35) and reserved. Perhaps, it leaves only Hafeez as the automatic choice to replace Misbah. Let’s find how he has recently fared as a player:

Hafeez, the player

Since his comeback in 2010, Hafeez’s personal performance speaks volumes of his ability, both with the ball and the bat.

Since 2011, he has won more Man of The Match awards (14) in all formats, than anyone else in the world. He is currently the number four ranked ODI bowler. He has scored more international hundreds (six and counting) than any other Pakistan player since his revival.

Mohammad Hafeez. Photo: AFP

Moreover, at 32, he is young enough to blend the young and old blood in the team. Above all, he is a keen observer of the game and is popularly known as 'the Professor' due to this ability.

His only drawback would be his inability and poor technique on seaming tracks, which was skilfully exploited by Dale Steyn in the recent South Africa series.

Let’s find out what legacy he will inherit as a possible skipper.

Misbah’s legacy

Firstly, despite his reasonable success—both as a captain and as a player—one simply cannot ignore the legacy Misbah will leave behind him - the ‘Tuk-Tuk’ legacy.

Misbahul Haq. Photo: AFP

Historically speaking, Pakistan has never had an assured batting line-up; at least not in recent memory, but then, the team had never fallen to such lows either.

Barring Hafeez, almost every batsman is fighting for his place in the team, and this naturally ebbs down the confidence levels, as well as the batting strike rates. The situation becomes particularly miserable if the team has to chase anything above 250 runs, even against the weaker oppositions like Bangladesh. Does anyone remember the third ODI against India recently, where Pakistan failed to chase 167 odd runs?

Secondly, in the past, Imran Khan left behind him a good team—consisting of young Wasim, Waqar and Inzamam. Likewise, Wasim was able to groom a few players, like Younis, Yousaf, Shoaib, Saqlain, and Razzaq. But the two ‘ul-Haqs’ (Inzamam and Misbah) failed to do so.

Misbah took up the captaincy in the worst times (2010), but can he proudly claim that he will leave a good team behind him?

I don’t think so. The batting is miserable, bowling options are sporadic, and the fielding is usually pathetic.

Misbahul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. Photo: Reuters

Challenges for the new captain

Like any other new Pakistani captain, Hafeez must be ready to face the music. It isn’t easy to be the captain of the Pakistani cricket team; being scrutinised by all age groups in the country. A passionate and war-stricken nation is hungry for each speck of happiness, especially coming from its cricket team.

It expects nothing short of quintessential performances.

The captain is the center of attention; he’s a celebrated hero when the team is winning and an alleged vagabond when it is losing.

Oftentimes, even a win cannot spare him, like what happened to Misbah (in March 2012), when he was grilled by the media at the Lahore airport due to his lack of runs soon after his team brought home the Asia Cup.

Apart from the high expectations and a challenging media environment, a Pakistani captain has to cope with the poor PCB management. He has to deal with the bureaucratic mess in the PCB, poor selection policies, some blue-eyed players, and comparatively lower benefits.

Final thoughts

The PCB will most probably have to make a decision that will eventually be to handover the leadership to someone else - the sooner, the better.

However, despite the media woes, one must not forget Misbah’s contributions, but his age is getting the best of him. It is the right time for him to call it a day.

Hafeez is the natural and inevitable follow-up. Professor has the spark that can take us to victory and I wish him all the best!

Read more by Faisal here.

WRITTEN BY:
Faisal Nadeem An electrical engineer with a PhD in Computer Engineering, Faisal Nadeem's interests include sports, art, literature, culture and religion.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (24)

TAJ | 11 years ago | Reply The writer, unfortunately for him, has no argument against Misbah apart from the the classic pointless one of age. Whenever you dislike someone and want his removal, argue he's too old. If someone is good enough, why is age even a consideration? Using phrases such as 'reasonable success' when describing Misbah's captaincy, and describing his averages of 43 and 41 (now 42) as 'reasonably poised', only goes to show that the writer clearly has an agenda against Misbah. I suppose he would prefer Hafeez's 35 and 27? Then he puts forwards Hafeez's personal achievements - which are without doubt, very good - as argument for Hafeez being captain. But the more he argues about Hafeez's very good personal performances, the stronger the argument gets that Hafeez should not be given the burden of captaincy in case his performances drop. The team does need Hafeez to continue to perform, does it not? Making exaggerated statements, such as Wasim Akram grooming Younis, Yousaf, Shoaib, Saqlain, and Razzaq, and providing no real argument to back them up, also does the writer no favours. Inzamam and Misbah can only groom what is there, and there hasn't been much there in respect of world class potential in recent times. Unfortunately the writer seems to have arrived at a conclusion first, then searched for reasons/arguments to back his conclusion up. This is always the wrong way to form an opinion.

TAJ | 11 years ago | Reply @The Rebel: How can you question Abdullah's intelligence then accuse him of saying something he hasn't? Where did he say Hafeez should be dropped for good? I think everyone should be amazed at your 'intellectual capability'!

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TAJ | 11 years ago | Reply The intelligence, calmness and leader's aura that Misbah conveys, far exceeds that of anyone else in and around the Pakistan side at present. Misbah's personal performances have been among the best, if not the best in the side, such as in South Africa recently. So tell me, how on earth does age even become a factor then? Then what reason do you have to drop him other than blind hatred? But judging by the choice of President most made, I wouldn't expect many in that country to recognise a real man. I've heard this pointless argument of looking to the future, but that is utter trash. Cricket is played in the present, not the future.

AZKhawaja | 11 years ago | Reply @Gangs of Wessy Pur: I'd prefer to back someone who has won the Asia Cup and beaten the World Champions in their own backyard over someone who has time and again shown that he is not a top level player. Winning 2 ODIs against SA in their own backyard with such a pathetic squad was nothing less than a miracle...we lost the series because of our pathetic batting and not because of 'poor field placement', that is ridiculous. The Test series, we had clear advantages in 2 Tests but once again our batting led by the superstar Professor kept collapsing in a heap.

Abdullah | 11 years ago | Reply @Gangs of Wessy Pur You mentioned Shahzaib Hassan should be in the team on another thread That shows how poor your assessment on the game is Supporting a village green slogger who people laugh on Waqar Younis, Ramiz Raja, Aamir Sohail, Kepler Wessels, Mike Haysman, Geoff Lawson have all said Misbah should carry on and Hafeez is not ready. I guess you know more than them.

Gangs of Wessy Pur | 11 years ago | Reply @AZKhawaja: There are more than one decent arguments against Misbah, but it requires listening. He made many pathetic captaincy calls during the test and ODI series. Take the last ODI as test case: he was reluctant to take slip fielders throughout the day, while he was defending a small total. Hafeez took a wicket in his first over, but he never bothered to give him another over until the game was over. His fielding positions were defensive, as if he was waiting for a wicket to fall, rather than making efforts to take a wicket. This is one instance. There were many others during the test series too. But I can agree to disagree with you. Lastly, you are supporting a man (Mr. Abdullah) who is making a stern prediction into future (Champions Trophy) based on his emotions. We all hope Pak wins that, but if I make a prediction that World will end on 8th June, 2013? Will you believe it. loool.

AZKhawaja | 11 years ago | Reply @Abdullah: Bro you are flogging a dead horse. These Hafeez fanboys are still expecting a 10 year veteran, perpetul failure to turn around his game and become a world beater. They cannot present a single decent argument against Misbah except his 'age', which is beyond retarded.

Abdullah | 11 years ago | Reply Where did I say Hafeez should be dropped? I said Hafeez should not be captain. Misbah is the best man to lead. But Hafeez cannot play outside Asia. That is a fact which his record clearly justifies. Since 2 new balls, he has been a walking wicket at the top He has the highest % of dot balls in the world since June 2001 Hafeez is a talented but heavily inconsistent batsmen Hafeez is a nagging, reliable, economical and accurate bowler He is the best all-rounder in the side However, he is a joke of an opener outside Asia, particularly in the test side

Gangs of Wessy Pur | 11 years ago | Reply @Abdullah: I was certain you will throw these statistics, and it proves my point of your shortsightedness. People like you, cannot look beyond two months on either side of the timeline. Let me take you a bit before your radar-range of 2 months: Misbah lost 3-0 in an unacceptable series loss. He 2, 16, and 39 (82 balls) against India. Only time he "scored", Pakistan lost due to his poor strike rate.

The Rebel | 11 years ago | Reply @Abdullah: So just because Hafeez didn't have such a good time in this particular series against SA, he should be dropped for good? I'm amazed at your intellectual capability. Go and take a look at the statistics, Hafeez has been Pakistan's best player in the shorter formats of the game since 2010. On the other hand, Umar Gul has really struggled in the past 1 year in every series. His bowling has been close to dismal. But no one is making any noise about it. Hafeez is as usual, the scapegoat for you lot.

Abdullah | 11 years ago | Reply I wonder why you get so many uninformed and silly people in the country? Misbah has just scored 227 runs at an average of 57 in an acceptable 3-2 series defeat in difficult conditions Champions Trophy is 2 months away Hafeez had a shocking time in SA Yes, lets make this a circus and change the captain to someone who has had an appalling time of late

Gangs of Wessy Pur | 11 years ago | Reply @Abdullah: Bump this article, if Pakistan and Misbah win the Champions Trophy. But if doesn't, then your are expected to show some morale guts and courage to believe what is written in this article. The shortsightedness of people like you, who cannot foresee beyond IMMEDIATE FUTURE will always live in their imaginary world, until they are hit against the wall and brought to real world in hard way.

Abdullah | 11 years ago | Reply I will bump this article after Misbah wins the Champions Trophy in 2 months The writer will be embarrassed with what he has written Keep selecting your dream ODI teams Keep leaving Misbah out of them Keep saying Hafeez or someone else should be captain Bottom line is when Team Pakistan walks out at the Kia Oval for the national anthem on the 7th of June in their opening fixture of a major ICC World Championship, Misbah ul Haq will be leading them out, galvanising his troops and wearing the captain’s arm band He is a stable, intellectual, respected Pakistan Captain who is going nowhere in the immediate future

Rana | 11 years ago | Reply Because Hafeez possess capabilities of complete all rounder that Misbah lacks, moreover, he is energetic young and less idiotic than Misbah!!

S.F.Ali | 11 years ago | Reply I am not a big fan of MIsbah, but by looking at the SA-PAK ODI Series it clear that Misbah have guts to bat in deadly situation. PAK won both the matches in which he scored 50+.

SD | 11 years ago | Reply well this SA series was another simply bad performance by the whole team. I don't blame only captain but he should be the one to take the blame. we do not have a single match winning consistent player in our team. captain should lead from the front. one thing we need as a nation is leadership so what if cricket is lacking it too. change has to come from grass root level of the game. stop giving these guys money and make it performance based and see how it improves.

The Rebel | 11 years ago | Reply Some people seem keen on criticizing Hafeez whenever they get the chance. Those people are the same that claim Afridi is one of the most valuable players in the Pakistani squad. It really is a joke. Ever since Hafeez made his comeback to international cricket, he's easily been Pak's best player in at least the T20 and ODI formats. Yes, he still needs to work out on how to play a long innings in Test matches, but then again, no batsman in this Test series against SA could hold his own (only Shafiq and Younis were able to make a century)...so it's unfair to only bash Hafeez for the series loss. Hafeez is the most obvious choice to replace Misbah as the captain, and I agree with everything the author said. Time for Misbah to call it a day, he's 39yrs old for Goodness' sake.

Que | 11 years ago | Reply Question is: WHY is everyone picking on AFRIDI? He did a fairly good job in the ODI series; as a batsman & economical bowler! Before Afridi is thrown out of the team; take a look at Hafeez's performance...? If he wasn't a T20 captain he would have been sidelined based on his performance.I am not going to list the players that should be sidelined BUT all I can say AFRIDI is the core part of the ODI & T20 team. AFRIDI is the only reason majority of the cricket lovers watch the Pakistani team playing. So move the uck on guys and leave him alone!!!!!!

Maazo0o | 11 years ago | Reply I agree with the author up to the fact that our seniors (Malik, Kamran, Younis) are being given too many chances. I disagree with his views about Misbah though. He has by far the best mindset, mental stability and maturity than anyone else in this team. Watching this ODI series closely, i noticed that how well he read the scenarios and paced his innings accordingly, blocking when needed, and launching the ball when the time was right, it was a real treat watching those clean hits. Talking about the team, it's not his fault when people who actually get paid to play, to score, to hit the stumps, to take the catches, fail, time and time again. Definitely Hafeez is the next Pakistani captain for me, but we need to benefit from Misbah while he's fit and playing because for me he's the best leader we've had since IK.

Faizan | 11 years ago | Reply I agree with the author that Misbah have done a commendable job over the past two years, but his fading age is a signal that we need a new captain to replace him as soon as possible and who better than our very own professor M.Hafeez. Clearly the best option because of his economical bowling and decent batting. He also brings that positive and attacking approach which Misbah lacked and now we need a captain who can make daring decisions. Afridi should be replaced as soon as possible Imran Farhat should not be a part of this team!

AQ | 11 years ago | Reply A player who can not perform in SA conditions and we should make him the captain... better continue with the captain... instead we should bring in Asad Shafiq in place Younus Khan and Umar Akmal for AFRIDI.... and please keep Imran Farhat away from the team!

Noman Ansari | 11 years ago | Reply The knives are out it seems. First of all, when have we really done significantly better than this in South Africa? It isn't like Haq's job performance was terribly worse than recent years. Secondly, you look at Hafeez and he doesn't justify his place in the team as a batsmen in the longer versions of the game. He averages less than many no.7 no.8 batsmen! A captain has to lead from the front, especially an opener. Misbah batted well twice in the series to win us matches. Hafeez was Steyn's bunny.

afza siddiqui | 11 years ago | Reply i agree with the author. Hafeez is vulnerable at bouncy tracks but he is a keen learner too. we can expect him to improve with experience. his aggressive and attacking mindset will change the outlook of our too defensive team and bring out better results. at present every body in the middle order is wearing the tuk tuk persona be it misbah, malik,younis or farhat.eating away all the balls and leaving too much for the tail-enders cannot do the trick in shorter format of the game.

AZKhawaja | 11 years ago | Reply So it is Misbah's fault that the selectors continue to pick the fading seniors? It is Misbah's fault that these seniors when picked are failing to deliver? Exclude the same minnows and your golden boy Hafeez is clearly exposed as a modified Afridi ie a glorified minnow basher. Lets not even get started on his recent humiliation in Test cricket. The age argument, no value whatsoever. Misbah is performing and is one of the fittest players in the team. 'Tuk Tuk' legacy? this is the same batting lineup that can barely bat 50 overs properly. We need MORE of it rather than less.

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