Afridi to captain Pakistan at World Cup

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

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Shahid Afridi has been appointed as captain for the Feb. 19-April 2 World Cup. – AFP (File Photo)

KARACHI: All-rounder Shahid Afridi has been named Pakistan captain for the World Cup starting later this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday.

The Pakistan board said in a statement that Afridi, who led Pakistan to their first one-day series win since late 2008 with victory over New Zealand on Thursday, will have test captain Misbah-ul-Haq as his deputy.

The PCB announced their final 15-member World Cup squad last month but delayed naming the captain leading to speculation their had been a tie between Afridi and Misbah, who led Pakistan to a test series win in New Zealand.

The board did not give any explanation for the delay in naming the flamboyant all-rounder, who has appeared in 311 one-dayers, as captain.

Pakistan have been drawn in Group A of the February 19 to April 2 World Cup alongside Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.

Pakistan's former test captain, Rashid Latif backed the retention of Afridi for the World Cup.

“It was the logical thing to do because he has now been leading the one-day side since last year and the players are also comfortable with him and understand his leadership style,” Latif told Reuters.

“If anything I don't understand what prompted the board to delay the announcement. It only led to speculation which is not good for Pakistan cricket ahead of such an important event,” Latif added.

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Sameer khan from Ind

Feb 04, 2011 01:06pm

Pakistan jeetegi W.C. INSHA~ALLAH, Dum Ho To Rok Lo Pak ko Champion Banne se, I Love Pakistan, Direct Dil se....

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Faizan Mohsin

Feb 04, 2011 01:17pm

salam, i think very well decesion about captaincy & Shahid Afridi Very Good Captain About Pakistan. Thanks PCB & 1st of all Ejiz Butt to announced for Captain of Pakistan world cup 2011. Misbah was a great player of Pakistan. he was a great captain in test. any how good decesion & best of luck for Pakistan in World Cup & pak won INSHALLAH.

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Jameel Akhtar Khowaj

Feb 04, 2011 01:29pm

Its the need of time to announce Shahid Afridi as a capton of Pakistan Cricket team because the people of Pakistan to see the team united instead of grouping. Winning and losing is the part of game one team always win and the other lose. I and whole Pakistani people believe that INSHALLAH Pakistan win the world cup. Best of Luck to Pakistan Cricket team and Shahid Afridi.

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Amana

Feb 04, 2011 01:32pm

Very good decesion by PCB. Shahid Afridi is mentally ready for World cup to lead his team to victory. INshallah.

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bushra

Feb 04, 2011 01:49pm

yes he is best captain of pakistani team inshallah hum jeet jayn gy wc uski captaincy mai inshallahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........love uuuuu afridiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

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shamza

Feb 04, 2011 01:55pm

INSHA ALLAH......Pakistan will win......

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shamza

Feb 04, 2011 02:12pm

INSHA ALLAH, Pakistan will win.......

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Mohammad Kamil

Feb 04, 2011 02:21pm

Well decesion for PCB and my best wishes for Pakistan win this Workd Cup.

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faraz

Feb 04, 2011 02:28pm

please Allah make pakistan team the champions of the world!!

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Fawad Siddiqui

Feb 04, 2011 02:38pm

Good decision by PCB.Pakisatan will win World Cup, INSHALLAH !! Best of luck Pak Cricket Team !!

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Ahmed

Feb 04, 2011 03:05pm

Right decision. Though Misbah has been leading from the front in test side, this is not the time of change in ODI's. In fact ODI team is playing okay under Afridi. Hope team plays as a one unit and ALL players support the captain.

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Junaid

Feb 04, 2011 03:17pm

Its my wish & hope that Pakistan should win thz World cup not for themselvez but for the people of Pakistan. As u all know the situation in Pakistan its a gift for the Nation. But for that they should play as a unit in professional manners. Every1 back the captain with full confidence, management should support them in difficult times. Pray for Pakistani Team. God bless them...........

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manzoor ahmed

Feb 04, 2011 03:33pm

GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD LONG LIVE PAKISTAN

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khalid amir khan gan

Feb 04, 2011 03:47pm

It z better late than never..........good decision by the PCB ...all our prayers and support with Pakistan Cricket Team....

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amir from kashmir

Feb 04, 2011 04:17pm

very good decision by pcb. Insha allah we will win.

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Zahid mehmood

Feb 04, 2011 05:17pm

oh very very nice decision by pcb. shahid afridi willbe a good captain for future inshallah

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Ishtiaqul Islam

Feb 04, 2011 06:41pm

I was very pleased to know that Afridi has been retained as captain.i am quite hopeful that under his captaincy pak will perform well & will win world cup(INSHAALLAH)

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Khizar Iqbal

Feb 04, 2011 07:45pm

good decision,,,,,,,,, go on shahid bhai...we are with you

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Jawaid Ansari

Feb 04, 2011 08:04pm

Let us put the past aside and move forward. PCB is known to dramatize under sice Butt became chairperson. We have few bugs to fine tune Pace, Fielding and confidence. With a bit luck, we can win it all. Long Live Pakistan.

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BoomBoom

Feb 04, 2011 11:00pm

Now ppl like amir sohail need to shut their mouths and back afridi. In fact the worst ever commentator that Amir Sohail was, he should concentrate on winning his commentary berth again. Boom Boom rocks.

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ahmed

Feb 04, 2011 11:38pm

I wish him every success. He is an honest man with much affection towards ordinary people. Ahmed Sri Lanka

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Saad Shariff

Feb 04, 2011 11:53pm

Its a good decision Inshallah pakistan will do good in the world cup. Our batsman need to take responsibilty specially younus khan he need to start positively otherwise Asad shafiq should get chance . Umer gul will be the key bowler. Our prayers are with pakistan cricket team .

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Khalid Sami

Feb 05, 2011 01:24am

This non declaration of the captaincy by the PCB has worked well. The team has gelled well and Afridi has become a better leader. He is listening to other players and making smarter decisions. This team unity will help in WC immensely. Good luck to Afridi and his men.

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Ghulam Haider Bhutto

Feb 06, 2011 05:43pm

It's good to listen Shahid Afridi is a captain for Pakistan squad for world cup 2011. Hope Inshallah Pakistani team again revise the history as the did in 1992 world cup. simply have to fight also play game with devotion, loyality, planing and hardworking, Inshallah thi cup we see in Pakistani player's hands. Pakistani team need to play game together not to play group wise. we are noe nation also muslim so why we get groups each other. we play games fro our sweet country not himsel when Pakistani players play game for their country definitely we will be the winner of wrodl cup 2011. we all must pray for our sweet homeland that may get successful in this world cup2011. Inshallah we win this biggets champion trophy. Inshallah

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ahad

Feb 12, 2011 02:14pm

i luv afridi and he is a correct captain 4 world cup

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yasir khan

Feb 15, 2011 06:17am

if god willing this is our wc

Recommend 0

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