Greats demand change after Harare defeat

Former Pakistan cricket greats and fans demanded a new national team captain and coach today after an embarrassing defeat against minnows Zimbabwe in the Harare Test.
Zimbabwe, who only started playing Tests in 2011 after a six-year exile due to lack of players and facilities, pulled off an upset 24-run win against number four ranked Pakistan in the second Test yesterday, squaring the two-match series at 1-1.
The defeat left Pakistan cricket fraternity in a shock as former players urged cricket authorities to revamp the team.
Former captain Ramiz Raja said the Pakistan team needed a fresh captain to replace Misbah-ul Haq.

"Misbah contributed to a change of environment and gave stability to the team but he seems to have run out of ideas, so we need someone with fresh ideas," Raja told AFP.
The defeat could not have come at a worse time as Pakistan face number one Test team South Africa in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Raja said every captain has a shelf life and 39-year-old Misbah has spent it.
"I think Misbah's shelf life is over and with these ideas we will stand nowhere in front of South Africa," said Raja, now a commentator.
The Pakistan team needed an aggressive strategy, he added.

"It seems excitement and aggression is at the lowest point in our cricket, we want to avoid defeat and these hot-and-cold, up-and-down performances must change," said Raja.
Former express paceman Shoaib Akhtar said Pakistan need a vibrant coach to replace Dav Whatmore, the former Australian batsman who took over last year.
"Pakistan must address its batting woes because batting is letting us down, it has gone down badly," said Akhtar.