Akram bats for 'best batsman' and captain Misbah despite Champions Trophy rout

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed his support for Misbahul Haq after the team is being slammed for its dismal performance in the Champions Trophy.

According to Daily Times, the team's poor performance has prompted formal players to call for removal of Misbah from captaincy along with replacing coach Dave Whatmore.

However, Akram supports Misbah as being the only player to have scored two half centuries in England and said that there was an urgent need to rebuild the team for the World Cup in 2015.

Akram further said that Misbah is the 'best batsman' in recent times and in the Champions Trophy to have led the team, which otherwise would have bowled out the team at scores of 30 adding that his future should be secure.

According to the report, Zahir Abbas, one of the finest former batsmen, said that the problem with the side is the lack of role models, pointing that India's performance was better because their batsmen have role models to build on.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar advised that former Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody should be appointed by the PCB as he can groom champion players and also be a father figure to them, the report added.