KARACHI, Nov 14: Former greats Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Yousuf have urged competent authorities to bring in Saeed Ajmal as Pakistan’s limited-overs skipper in the wake of defeats in recent matches against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Shoaib said on Thursday that the time has come for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ring changes if Pakistan are to regain their status among the world’s top teams.

“Just take a look how [badly] Pakistan played against South Africa in both the one-day series and the first Twenty20 game. I fear that the way this team is disintegrating we would probably even struggle to beat low-ranked sides such as Bangladesh and Ireland,” Shoaib said during a TV talk show.

Known for hurling awkward bouncers, Shoaib minced no words in stating that Misbah-ul-Haq’s passive approach to captaincy has been one of the key factors behind Pakistan lacking the aggression and killer instinct.

“Definitely this is why Pakistan have been playing like a team of amateurs. This obviously not the style we are used to. Without being aggressive how could you expect them [Misbah’s charges] to express themselves. Aggression is in our nature when it comes to playing sports,” Shoaib remarked.

“We must revert to being an aggressive team which a hallmark of Pakistan sides of the past. Sadly, Misbah is not the person who can be regarded as one captain to lead Pakistan in that mode. I’m not saying that he [Misbah] has done a bad job in the circumstances but now we’ve got to look at other options as far as the captaincy matters,” the outspoken Shoaib pointed out.

“Look where we are now? Other teams are gradually preparing for the months leading to the [2015] World Cup by trying out different combinations [of players] and resting key players. But are we doing the same? The answer is a big No.

“Seriously we have to look at alternatives and I think Saeed Ajmal does appeal to me as one person who could thrive as a captain because he is very passionate about the game. His performances make him probably the only world-class cricketer we have at present,” Shoaib added.

Former national skipper Yousuf also put his weight behind the ‘debate’ while saying that speaking English shouldn’t be the criteria of picking a Pakistan cricket captain.

“Proficiency in a particular language should never be considered a hurdle. If you look at other sports there are countless instances of sportspeople communicating in their own languages. Italians are comfortable speaking in their national language, the Germans in theirs and the French in theirs,” Yousuf commented.

Yousuf stressed that Saeed Ajmal has emerged as the most suitable candidate to lead Pakistan.“Honestly I don’t foresee any other individual who could be the man to lead Pakistan out of the mire other than Saeed. It’s gamble worth taking because we all want to see our team play to its potential. Saeed may not come across as a person who wields his authority. But he’s highly respected and is usually an automatic selection in all three formats,” Yousuf opined.

“To many this [idea of changing captain] may sound like a backward step. But in the best interest of Pakistan cricket this could a wise move.”