Misbah acknowledges he may not captain Pakistan

DUBAI: Pakistan’s skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has acknowledged that he may not lead the national side at the 2015 World Cup.

Speaking to a foreign newspaper, Misbah said: “If I am not scoring runs and my form is not there then I can’t say I have to play. The team and Pakistan are first. If I can get my form back and score runs then I will be back but if not, then obviously, you can’t put the team in such a difficult situation and you have to decide.”

Decision remains with Misbah: PCB Chief

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said the decision to lead the one-day team remains with Misbah. "I told him, we appointed you till the World Cup," Khan told AFP. "We were criticized for it and we will be now, even more, as he has not scored runs.

"But we remain totally firm that we have put our support behind him and he will lead.

"If he thinks leadership will not deliver, then it is up to him. We told him we will not push you out. This is the view of all three of us -- Waqar Younis (coach) and Moin Khan (manager and chief selector)."

Khan said Misbah was determined to put things right. "If he does, he is back but other names are of course considered as a contingency plan," added Khan.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi, who Misbah replaced as captain in May 2011, led Pakistan in Sunday´s final one-dayer and would be the top contender for World Cup in February-March should Misbah stand down.

Khan said that withdrawing from Sunday´s game was Misbah´s own decision.
"Misbah decided that he needed a break from the rather depressing scores he has had in Sri Lanka as well as here. The management also agreed that if he wanted to sit this out it is his decision."

"No one forced him. He himself decided that this is the right time for him to take a break and see if he can recover in the Tests."

"He is depressed at the fact that he hasn´t been scoring and I found it very noble on his part that he said: ´If the day comes when I get an idea that the team is suffering because of me, then I will myself say, let me go´."

"Misbah says if he is back to form then he´d like to lead to the World Cup."

Misbah will skipper the team in the two Tests against Australia which follow the one-dayers.

Misbah has captained Pakistan in 76 one-day internationals, winning 40 and losing 33 with two tied and one no-result.