KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif reckons young batsman Sohaib Maqsood has several attributes to become the next ODI captain.

“I think Sohaib possesses some significant features that make him a good choice to lead Pakistan in the ODI format. The player holds a strong character, a decent social background plus good communication skills — all needed to cope with tough and tricky situations in international cricket,” Rashid told Dawn, sharing his view on Pakistan’s next skipper after Misbah-ul-Haq’s retirement from ODIs.

Although the 27-year-old Sohaib as batsman didn’t come up to the expectations in most of the high-pressure World Cup games, Rashid underscored the tall right-handed batsman had not been utilised as he should have been.

In his first two ODI innings, Sohaib made consecutive half-centuries against a strong South Africa in the UAE in late 2013 before his batting position in ODIs, including the World Cup, kept changing.

“Sohaib has batted at so many positions in ODI games. When he arrived at the international scene, he played at No.3. When he performed well at that crucial spot, for no logical reason he was shifted to No.4, then No.6 and [in some games] even seven; all this didn’t allow him to settle,” Rashid, who is known for his standout acumen for cricket, said.

Rashid further said lobbies had a major influence whenever any important cricketing decision is taken in Pakistan.

“More importantly, unfortunately in our cricket culture, lobbies — rather than merit — come into play when major decisions [like naming national captain] are taken. The lobbies of big cities are very strong and have their own agendas; because Sohaib belongs to a relatively smaller city, Multan, he doesn’t have the backing of a strong lobby.”

Commenting on tomorrow’s World Cup final, Rashid said New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum could be the decisive factor.

“McCullum is the key. If Australia do not dismiss him early, then New Zealand have a chance, otherwise Australia would be too strong at home for New Zealand to handle in this high-profile final,” Rashid concluded.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2015

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