ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Test fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar reckons the national team despite having taken a poor start to the World Cup can still win the coveted title, provided captain Misbah-ul-Haq takes up the lead role.

Talking to a private TV channel, Shoaib said Pakistan could still clinch the crown Down Under, but insisted that for this to happen Misbah and other senior players would have to play the lead role and take responsibility.

“Misbah needs to do the inspiring job for the team and [to do this] he must bat at number three spot,” Shoaib insisted.

“We do not have the batsmen to play for 30, 40 overs. The team is more comfortable playing T20-style cricket, so Misbah must bat at number three and hold the innings together for at east 30 overs to give others a chance to play freely,” the Rawalpindi Express explained.

“Other players [batsmen] are struggling and need to be protected in the batting order. The team should not lose wickets in the first 30 overs and then adapt to T20 style cricket in the last 20 overs,” the former pacer added.

Recalling Imran Khan had taken responsibility by coming to bat at crucial number three spot and shown the way to his players in the 1992 World Cup, Shoaib said Misbah in this World Cup had a golden opportunity to become a legend for Pakistan.

“Once this team reaches the quarter-finals anything can happen.”

Shoaib mentioned the example of M.S. Dhoni whom, he said, with his aggressive and positive captaincy turned the Indian team around in the World Cup.

Published in Dawn March 3rd , 2015

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