Cricbeat

Weeks before the ICC Cricket World Cup got underway the Pakistan’s cricket chiefs had serious second thought about retaining Shahid Afridi as their captain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and even some former players were not convinced that the experienced all rounder Shahid Afridi should be retained as captain. Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq's name was thrown around as a potential replacement for Afridi as a captain.

But with two impressive victories against Kenya and favorites Sri Lanka, the flamboyant Afridi has certainly silenced his critics.

He led Pakistan from the front in Hambantota against Kenya last week, picking up 5-16 – the best bowling figures by a captain in the history of World Cup. More importantly, he took four wickets in Pakistan’s morale-boosting 11-run win over the Sri Lankans on Saturday night.

Afridi, 30, has impressed all with the way he has been performing both as the team’s senior player and its captain. It’s hardly surprising that he is getting all out support from his teammates.

“He (Shahid Afridi) is a match winner,” said Shoaib Akhtar.

“Afridi a bit hyper but that's okay,” said Akhtar. “He took some time to blend the team which is natural and is now doing a great job as captain.” 

Shoaib Akhtar believes that Afridi’s strong point is that he gets the best out of his players and is making it sure that each and every member of his team, especially the seniors, stay fully involved. “We are complimenting each other, he takes advice from all of us. We are looking at each other in difficult situations.”

Akhtar said that he has always been telling Afridi to focus on his bowling more than his batting.

“I’ve always believed that he is a better bowler than a batsman and is a match winner. Something that he has proved time and again,” said Akhtar.