Former Pak players lash out at national cricket team

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Press Trust of India Karachi
Last Updated : Feb 21 2015 | 7:00 PM IST
The Pakistan cricket community has lashed out at the national team for its humiliating defeat against the West Indies in the World Cup match today with former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar calling captain Misbah-ul-Haq "coward and selfish".
Pakistan's defeat by 150 runs to the Windies has not gone down too well and with the exception of former captain Javed Miandad, who still reposed confidence in the battered team, others criticised the team.
Most of the former players demanded that the existing team management including chief selector Moin Khan and head coach Waqar Younis be sacked immediately while others wanted a complete reshuffle in the cricket board itself.
"I have been saying this for a long time we are heading for disaster. I have never seen a more selfish and coward captain like Misbah," Akhtar ranted on Geo News channel.
"When he knows the chips are down and the team needs an inspirational leader, why couldn't he (Misbah) come up the order and also protect Younis (Khan) and others by batting at number three," he asked.
"Misbah has always been a selfish player and he is satisfied with his own runs but the team comes second."
Akhtar also said that the team needed to undergo a reshuffle after the World Cup and pleaded with the Pakistan Cricket Board to not make anymore excuses.
Former Pakistan Test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq had no doubt the team had let the nation down with their disappointing performances in the World Cup.
"The whole nation feels let down and is understandably angry. You don't expect such unprofessional decisions from a professional management," he said.
Pakistan's former Test captain and senior batsman Muhammad Yousuf said that he couldn't understand why the tour selectors had not played leg spinner Yasir Shah against the West Indies.
"It made no sense to me at all knowing we are not good at chasing any total. And I think it is time Younis also decided about his future and withdraw himself," Yousuf said.
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First Published: Feb 21 2015 | 7:00 PM IST

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