Wasim Akram wants Azhar Ali to remain ODI captain

E-Paper | October 02, 2026

Wasim Akram wants Azhar Ali to remain ODI captain

Abdul Ghaffar Published September 11, 2016

KARACHI: Former cricket legend Wasim Akram thinks Azhar Ali should be given some more time as ODI captain and that a change in leadership in the national cricket team would be premature.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday evening, Wasim said a captain should be observed for at least 30 to 35 matches before giving a final call about him.

He added that some 24 or 25 matches have been played under the captaincy of Azhar, so he should be given some more time.

Commenting on Sarfraz Ahmed's performance, he said that the wicketkeeper-batsman led Pakistan well in the T20 format and although it seemed as though the players were cooperating with him, the decision to make him ODI captain would be premature.

Wasim added that the West Indies are likely to give Pakistan a tough time as they are the current T20 world champions.

Earlier, former skipper Shahid Afridi had said that Azhar Ali's performance was not bad in the series against England, and was of the view that Sarfraz should not be made ODI captain immediately.

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Fez

Sep 11, 2016 01:11pm

Wasim bhai is right. Azhar needs to be given a proper run. At the end of the day, chopping and changing suddenly helps nobody.

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Abdulla Hussain

Sep 11, 2016 01:18pm

Better let the head coach decide about it, after all has taken the responsibility of developing a winning eleven. Others should not interfere.

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Zaq

Sep 11, 2016 01:21pm

with all due respect sir, I am not agreed

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Reality

Sep 11, 2016 01:22pm

Very true, a time should always be given to any captain to prove himself / herself.

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Sep 11, 2016 01:26pm

If azhar ali is kept a captain, we might as well not qualify for worldcup. He lacks basic cricketing knowledge. Check his stats after match and you will see the best bowler not completing his quota while the most expensive bowler wouldve completed 10 overs.

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Qaisar

Sep 11, 2016 01:34pm

Sarfraz is the best player of Pakistan and must be rewarded with Captaincy.

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Zem

Sep 11, 2016 01:36pm

Can any1 plss tell me where is Haris Sohail n Sadaf Hussain?They are not playing Currnt T20 domestic tournamnt in Pakistan

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Sep 11, 2016 01:38pm

Good advice.

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Zem

Sep 11, 2016 01:38pm

W.Akram wants to c 10-15 more match as a captain that means W Indies n Australia 1day series lost.Azhar not only captain as a 1day batsman he is not deserve.Asad Safiq n Fawad Alam btr choice thn him.

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CricFan

Sep 11, 2016 01:40pm

England tour has proved that Azher Ali is an ineffective captain! Sarfaraz should be appointed as the new captain!

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Reality

Sep 11, 2016 01:39pm

Bearing him for just another 5 matches means more humiliations like 444/3 in a single ODI to follow....

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Zem

Sep 11, 2016 01:44pm

Afridi is correct .Sarfaraz should be captain after 2019 wrld cup n its better to hand over captaincy to him(Afridi) till wc2019 that will surely help Pakistan team to knockout from qualifying round.

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Shazad

Sep 11, 2016 01:46pm

I think Akram and Afridi are bias and do not like to see Pakistan succeed. Actually, when Misbah stepped down as Captain, it was supposed to be Sarfraz next. Discrimination and nepotism kept him out of captaincy, even though he captained 1 ODI and won. Still, PCB called Azhar, who was not even in team. Akram nor Afridi opposed giving captaincy to Azhar, why? They could have said then, that Sarfraz has captained and won, so let him keep captaincy for 30 to 40 games, but they did not. Sarfraz plays for country unlike most other Pakistani players. His 90 runs in 73 balls gave Pakistan victory in 5th ODI. If Sarfraz was like some other Pakistani players playing politics on field, than he would have slowed his run rate. If he had done so than Pakistan would have lost, giving England 5:0 victory. But then Sarfraz is selfless player, and that is the reason he scored heavily (300 runs in 5 ODIs) at an ave of 60 and SR ~100. He was only Pakistani who made century in 5 ODIs (plus 2 fifties).

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athar

Sep 11, 2016 02:16pm

Azhar needs support. He will prove his mantles if provided more space. Team is in the process of building up and soon it will get rhtham.

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Yusuf

Sep 11, 2016 02:17pm

Sarfaraz should be made the next ODI Captain with immediate effect.There is no doubt about it.

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Shahid

Sep 11, 2016 02:24pm

Wasim Akram has changed his stance within a week. I think the question about captaincy is secondary because first we have to decide that if Azhar qualifies as a ODI player

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Joshua

Sep 11, 2016 02:53pm

By the time 30-35 matches are played Azhar will loose all the matches. Sarfaraz is a better option to be as Captain in ODI's. Pakistan needs an aggressive captain as a street fighter. Afridi & Waseem Akram were both failures as captain, hence one can see their biased statements as well.

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Pappu

Sep 11, 2016 03:09pm

yes i agree with wasim akram. PCB should select proper one day & T20 team. T20 Aamir Yameen should have given chance in place of Sohail Tanveer.

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Qamar Siddiqui

Sep 11, 2016 03:20pm

Azhar Ali simple does not fit as ODI opener let alone lead the ODI team. He has not got leadership skills and it is evident for last 20-25 matches so few more will not add suddenly any magic under his belt!! He Can be tried as number 4/5 down the order for situations were in case top oder fail so he can anchor the inning that is common for Pakistan. For ODI opener look for other top classs team such as Australia, England or SA .... Non got weak opener like Azhar! The right thing to do is make Sarfraz ODI captain, keep the trouble maker away like Afraidi, Akmal brothers and Shahzad etc .... get this new talent to nourish and stable in next 20-30 matches so it is set up nicely and ready for next world up ... No rocket science.

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Amed

Sep 11, 2016 03:25pm

waqar yonus was put coach on wasim bhais advice, he likes azhar ali too he shud never be part of our cricket think tank

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Najib

Sep 11, 2016 03:37pm

Azhar never deserved to be the captain at the first place due to his typical conservative, old and defensive (Misbah) era approach. He should be removed immediately and Safraz should be made captain. Afridi and others are opposing him because he is upset that he did so well aganist England. Besidez, why we should be having 3 captains for different formats. Safraz should be ODI and T20 cap and Misbah for 5 days - the format which goes with his negative mind set.

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nadeem Qazi

Sep 11, 2016 03:37pm

After 24 25 matches, Azhar could not learn and still making very silly decisions so another five matches will change his abilities ?? He was never selected in the team even, and management made him a captain on his return and it was all politics and we all know about it. Let new people come and let them have experience and a better future of cricket in Pakistan. Please stop supporting Azhar Shoaib Hafeez on personal relations and politics

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shahzaib latif

Sep 11, 2016 03:45pm

captaincy is God gifted ability.Every one can't be Ricky Ponting or MS Dhoni or Imran Khan. Sarfraz is best available choice Pak currently has. keeping him away from captaincy is to make things worse.

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#3Batsman

Sep 11, 2016 03:53pm

What can you say of aman's opinion who himself has a tarnished past being alleged, involved and fined in match fixing!. He should not be allowed to come near Pak cricket in any capacity. Maybe he wants Azhar to remain Captain because he may have betted on Pak Team not qualifying for WC 2019 and in Azhar there is an ideal man who can further drown Pakistan Cricket as he has sunk us to 9th position already! We need to completely get rid of Azhar from ODIz !!!!!

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kalhoro

Sep 11, 2016 03:57pm

What if sarfarz fails or become unfit whom then they make captain ?? Overnight asking for results is unfair. Now that you have select him try ashieve maximum goals so next captain is able take ship further repeating only demages our cricket.

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Rao Gladiator

Sep 11, 2016 04:03pm

well said by legend wasim akram

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Nadim

Sep 11, 2016 04:29pm

Management have now seen both Azhar and Sarfaraz as captains. They should look at strengths and weaknesses of each and assess their leadership skills. They can also get feedback from players. It may take several years to play 35 ODI and that's a very long time for an international team with a poor captain.

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Pakfan

Sep 11, 2016 04:48pm

Can't get it. In last odi WC Misbah took the team to quarters when Pak defended 230 against SA. Again in qf at one point looked like that team made it to the semi finals... Now qualifying for the next WC is on the line. Since last WC when Azhar took over captaincy we played 20 odd Odis with record low success rate. On what basis Wasim wants Azhar to be captain for another one year. I am not against Azhar. He is a gentleman and a very good batsman but not a captain. Wasim did not give one reason for extending Azhar Captaincy that doesn't make sense. Folks remember next 10 ODIs is make or brake for next odi WC qualification. Our odi playing eleven should decide what is best for them to qualify for next odi WC.

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Adnan Anwar

Sep 11, 2016 04:58pm

In order to qualify for 2019 WORLD CUP, We need to be in top 8 of the ODI ranking by September/October 2017. Pakistan does not have the luxury to give Azhar Ali more time, we need winner results so we can boost our ratings. Whatever Head Coach feels should be done and can produce positive results , well I am supporting him. Azhar Ali has failed to impress me for quite a long time and I don't see him show any leadership skills on the fields.

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Fez

Sep 11, 2016 05:15pm

@Joshua You might do well to remember that the only odis which actually matter are the world cup ones. Everything else is a build up to this event, for most teams in odis. In 2011, a certain Afridi with his bowing took Pakistan single handedly to the semi finals. Without him they would have exited in the first round. Similarly, Wasim Akram and I would say Saeed Anwar carried the Pakistan team for the most of the 90's. To say otherwise is a bit dumbfounded. On the subject of Azhar Ali, whose to say Sarfraz's batting wont waver if he is made captain. You need to give him a longer run. No point of axing someone after a few tours in the job.

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Kamran

Sep 11, 2016 05:19pm

What is best for odi team to qualify for next odi WC? Answer is very simple. Give captaincy to one who deserves it and Mr. W. Akram that is not Azhar.

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Sep 11, 2016 05:41pm

How many series more we have to loose to realise. We even lost to Bangladesh. Azhar is a great Test batsman but his temperment is not of the way ODI is played these days.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Sep 11, 2016 05:42pm

I don't agree with Wasim Akram. Don't think Azhar Ali deserves a permanent spot in the ODI team. In addition he is not a clever captain. Sarfaraz would be a much better choice to lead the ODI team

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Ahmed

Sep 11, 2016 05:55pm

Waseem Akram is totally wrong here. Sarafraz should have been captain for ODI from get go. Waseem's comment about " boys seems to be cooperative with Sarfaraz" as T20 captain speak volume about status of mind. Lahori lobby can not imagine a captain out side Punjab. Unfortunate reality.

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Innovative strive.

Sep 11, 2016 06:18pm

Watching all one days captained by Azhar gave me gut feeling as if some thing lacking in him. The issue must adequately be addressed right now.

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Muhammad Iqbal

Sep 11, 2016 06:23pm

Because Azhar not from Karachi.

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Ali jee

Sep 11, 2016 06:52pm

So that means we going to lose another 30 one days and other teams make world record against Pakistan are u guys with Pakistan or against?

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imti

Sep 11, 2016 07:20pm

History tells decisions maker believes and practice on quota system, it had suited them and still suits them so long live “quota system”. Do not yelps for Sarfraz, as he is just a makeshift arrangement sooner and latter quota system will prevail again.

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mohammed

Sep 11, 2016 07:25pm

Sarfaraz is an aggressive player and the entire team gelled well under him on the other hand Azher ali doesnt warrant a place in the ODI team. Its utter stupidity to continue him as a captain.If changes are not done immediately by handing captaincy to Sarfaraz then forget about playing 2019 world cup

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Ganga Das

Sep 11, 2016 07:38pm

Sarfaraz would not make a good captain right away. Azhar is good with the bat so far in ODI. He just needs to synchronize his batting capabilities with his leadership skills.

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Sami Qureshi

Sep 11, 2016 08:02pm

Mr. Wasim Akram has no credibility to suggest to retain some player and to kick out the other. He was already legally convicted by Justice Qayyum in match fixing scandals. His involvement with the Indians and their cricket affairs is well known to every one.

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AMK USA

Sep 11, 2016 08:05pm

Just because he is captain now is not the criteria to give him more time. He should not be captain to begin with, and Waseem support seems to have other criteria met except cricketing sense and leadership. He in his time led team with multiple controversies including sit out in World Cup 1994. He and others who have been mired in such controversies should be kept at distant from PK team that already does not have a stellar reputation when it comes to issues of match fixing.

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AB Uzair

Sep 11, 2016 08:13pm

Instead of picking a magic number 35, let me pick a magic number 25, and show Azhar Ali the door..

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Optimist

Sep 11, 2016 08:18pm

If Wasim believes this then why did he, Waqar, Salim Malik and Rameez Raja revolt against Javed Miandad. If a captain has been tested and failed in 25 matches and won matches only against weaker teams like Zimbabwe, Azhar Ali brought the team rating from # 4 to # 9. Sarfaraz has been tested in 2015 WC and now against England. So called experts like Ramiz and Wasim Akram never recommend Sarfaraz he was sent as a last resort when Adnan Akmal got injured in Sharjah against Sri-Lanka. Sarfaraz is in the team on his performance though Ramiz always criticize him and wants to replace him with M. Rizwan.

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Optimist

Sep 11, 2016 08:19pm

@Abdulla Hussain - agreed. Let coach and selector decide.

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Waheed Khan

Sep 11, 2016 08:21pm

@athar thank you athar!

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Waheed Khan

Sep 11, 2016 08:23pm

I think Afridi should be made captain of the ODI, T20 and test team. We are wasting such a great and young talent!

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Raja Amir

Sep 11, 2016 08:27pm

As a nature, he is OK but as a captain he is not. A captain should be active on the field. I always see him tense or bored on the field. If a bowler is hit a four or six, he never changes the field or at least talks to the boy.

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Sarah

Sep 11, 2016 08:34pm

Sarfraz is The ONE and ONLY CHOICE !

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AIR

Sep 11, 2016 08:43pm

When azher lost his first series as a cap against Bangladesh, people said that give him few series to prove himself. Now, after losing almost all the series (except against Zimbabwe) given to him during this time period, the same people are saying to give him few more series. I think no Nostradamus is required to predict What these people will say in future.

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naveed,usa

Sep 11, 2016 08:45pm

@Zem Could you pl tell me what's wrong with his batting? His strike rate is around 80 %.There is a need of one batsman who could hold one end carry the team to play the 59 overs quota,from the other end batsmen should attack. And what is the guarantee that other captain will not loose matches,before Azhar won matches?

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naveed,usa

Sep 11, 2016 08:51pm

@Qaisar Captaincy is not a reward but a responsibility.Sometimes the players who perform well can not handle pressure of the captaincy as result of it their performance graph drops.It happened with many mega stars in the world.

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Karachi wala

Sep 11, 2016 08:50pm

Wasim Akram says that players will not cooperate with Sarfraz. It means he & Afridi both in favor of making division in the team. They should be banned to give these public statements & should be punished too to provoke the players. Both are not loyals to Pakistan cricket

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naveed,usa

Sep 11, 2016 08:52pm

@Reality He did not ask bowlers to bowl waywardly or not bowl according to their field.He not ask fielder's to drop catches or do miss fielding.

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Ekram

Sep 11, 2016 09:31pm

@Najib What is wrong with Misbah? He won Pakistan the number one ranking in tests. Learn to be thankful.

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Nasir uddin Ahmad

Sep 11, 2016 09:48pm

Come On sir you r wrong, let PCB to change. the wrong man for wrong choice.

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RIZ

Sep 11, 2016 10:00pm

Wasim clearly said on TV that Sarfraz should be ODI captain but now changing his statement shows there is a lobby who is actively working against Sarfraz and made Wasim give statement in Azhar Ali favor. I don't want Wasim to criticize Azhar while doing commentary as we all know Azhar can't be ODI player because of his playing style.

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Dastagir Farooqui Manchester UK

Sep 11, 2016 10:02pm

Mr.Ghaffar what WA is saying is correct ? did he spoken in Day or Night ? no more time. need fast and hard action.

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syed wasim haider

Sep 11, 2016 10:10pm

@Zem Haris is a good player.He should be groomed

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Abdul Sattar Lahore

Sep 11, 2016 10:12pm

Do not play for yourself, play for Pakistan, give good advise, Azhar have no winning determination ?

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Hasan Ali Jett

Sep 11, 2016 10:22pm

End of Afridi no more place in Pak team do not cry any more ? Wasim is biased 23 is not more ? what you want for sake of God speak truth what other commentators said ? Azhar have no captain material.

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Farooq Pirzada UK

Sep 11, 2016 10:26pm

Do not give wrong advice to PCB, Wasim and Raja recommended Waqar as coach in his 2nd tenure do not know his 1st tenure as failures. please stop talking is better.

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imdadali aka babu

Sep 11, 2016 10:34pm

advise of former caption waseem akram should be somewhat considered as being international player he knows all pros and cones of the situation then can give comments about the player so far as the suggestion about caption is concern, his advise may be considered.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Sep 11, 2016 10:44pm

@Muhammad Iqbal: absolutely agree with you

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Hamza Tirmizi Holland

Sep 11, 2016 10:47pm

Wasim why in one week you changed your opinion ? first place Azhar never deserved to be the Captain as well as team player and dropped 2013, due to his typical conservative tuk tuk, 23 matches are not enough ? He have no place in ODI.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 11, 2016 10:51pm

@Shazad : You are right now my friend, these cronies are not speaking but where were they when Pakistan team was failing miserably in the ODI's. Ignore them both as they have not contributed professionally to the PCB in any way. He is too quick to go to India and provide tips to the Indian bowlers for free but for Pakistan he likes to get invited and get paid before he would provide any feedback to Pakistani bowlers. I would not even give them the time of the day at all and let's rebuild our team and Let the head coach do his job.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 11, 2016 10:54pm

@kalhoro : It is quite simple , we need to promote Imad Wasim as a wise captain and as he is the next in line and knows very well who to lead a team. Most of all he is educated and selfless. Mentality like yours is what keeping Pakistan Cricket team in this dismal condition. Move on as we have plenty of talent like Fawad Alam to name few for the leadership position.

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Omer bin Hashim

Sep 11, 2016 10:56pm

Does Azhar deserved to be the captain or ODI in team place ? he is defensive player and captain read yesterday Guru and pioneer of ODI Asif Iqbal article that Pakistan is playing 1990 ODI cricket.

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Ali Hasan Kazmi

Sep 11, 2016 11:13pm

Yes give him as much as chances because he is from Lahori and deserve to be captain, no matter what is result thank you for Wasim bad advice.

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Mirza Qaleech Baig

Sep 11, 2016 11:38pm

Wasim Akram does not always have the right ideas. He talks to much and feeds narratives. I dislike that half cooked ideas.

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Salazar

Sep 12, 2016 12:33am

@Zaq. With all due respect, he is Wasim Akram, you are not.

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Ths

Sep 12, 2016 01:02am

Azhar is a test player and shouldn't be selected for ODI let alone be captain.

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Ths

Sep 12, 2016 01:05am

Azhar has no captaincy skills his field placing and use of bowlers skills are just as worse.

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Ths

Sep 12, 2016 01:06am

Safraz and Imad Wasim are future prospects for ODI and as Pakistan are rebuilding ODI team the have to start with captaincy.

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Ths

Sep 12, 2016 01:08am

The only advantage Azhar has over Safraz is his English apart from that he is way behind.

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Ths

Sep 12, 2016 01:09am

Team spirit and energy depends on a fighting captain and clearly Azhar is none of above.

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Ths

Sep 12, 2016 01:11am

Wasim Akram is better off spending time with bowlers coaching and he would be a great help.

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Waqas Sultan

Sep 12, 2016 02:00am

I went to Adelaide in world cup match against India...and was deeply agonized when Sarfaraz told us on the streets of Adelaide CBD wandering alone at 9PM depressed that he is not playing....This dirty politics has brought to an extent that Pakistan might not even qualify for the world cup......Azhar was not even a choice let alone captain..... Compare him with any captain and he is very weak to be a captain.....Virat was groomed for 4 years before being made captain.....Pakistan cricket decision makers are reactive rather than proactive.....

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parveez shafi

Sep 12, 2016 03:54am

Spot on

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Fedup

Sep 12, 2016 04:13am

His comments show the bias he carries with him. Why stop at 30 to 35 why not give him chance for 200 games? This is the most ridiculous reason I have ever heard from such a great player. We are at number 9 in rankings! what other proof you need Wasim? Either make Misbah ODI reign or I prefer let Sarfaraz take the reins of ODI in addition to T20I and get him ready for Tests as well.

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Wajhat Naqvi USA

Sep 12, 2016 06:32am

Wasim Akram what u talking for defending failure Azhar ali, are at W.Indies sea side when you, Waqar and Aqib went to police custody, can u clear your position and give clarification. Please.

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Chishti

Sep 12, 2016 06:58am

The decision to offer Azhar captaincy was without any merit. Is being no 9 not enough? You want us out of world cup?

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Zamir Saeed UK

Sep 12, 2016 07:12am

In 1999, he led Pakistan to the brink of victory in the World Cup before they capitulated and was defeated by Australia in the final, by eight wickets with almost 30 overs to spare. This was the start of the match fixing controversies, as critics believed Akram had set up the match for Australia.A far larger controversy was created when critics alleged that he was involved in match fixing. An inquiry commission was set up by the PCB headed by a Pakistan high court judge, Malik Mohammad Qayyum. The judge wrote in his report that:This commission feels that all is not well here and that Wasim is not above board. He has not co-operated with this Commission. It is only by giving Wasim the benefit of the doubt after Ata-ur-Rehman changed his testimony in suspicious circumstances that he has not been found guilty of match-fixing. He cannot be said to be above suspicion. This was mentioned in his wikipedia, how can he mis-guiding PCB for failed Azhar to give him extension. Not acceptable.

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Syed

Sep 12, 2016 08:13am

Does Wasim Akram have any official position in the PCB? We are talking about ODI, where decisions have to be made fast. Why should the decision about the Captain take so long? If the ODI team has to belabor under Azhar Ali for say another 25 games or so then surely we will be below Afghanistan and Ireland.

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Javed Mansoori

Sep 12, 2016 08:37am

What a funny advice given by Wasim, With Azhar ranking will be 12th.

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Saeed Ahmad

Sep 12, 2016 11:08am

Wasim Akram please this is not your job, let Micky Arther should give his advice to PCB and they are right people to say something. Why not Fawad Alam the real deserving person to be captain and also Sarfarz Ahmed.

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Amin Rahim Norway

Sep 12, 2016 08:42pm

PCB should drop from Azhar from ODI, Sarfarz a fighter, supersonic should made as Captain his VC Fawad Alam, in T20 Sarfarz Captain and Immad Wasim his VC, in Test after Misbah (be careful not to given Azhar as captain) the person who have 3/4 more years to play is Younus Khan the great made as Captain and Asad Shafiq his VC.

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Khan - NYC

Sep 13, 2016 06:57pm

Azhar shouldn't even be on the ODI team!

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Shazad

Sep 13, 2016 08:19pm

@Chishti:'' The decision to offer Azhar captaincy was without any merit. Is being no 9 not enough? You want us out of world cup?'' These two players were always self-centered and played for themselves. Afridi shows his 'Me' all the time, and Akram once got chance, left Pakistan to find green pasture abroad, even though he could have had reasonable earning and living in Pakistan, unlike many Pakistanis who go abroad due to lack of opportunity in Pakistan. Both captained Pakistan, but got nothing for Pakistan. Now they are scared that a buoyant captain full of ideas, energy and talent, may make Pakistan achieve something, so keep him out. For instance, in PSL Sarfraz led the lowest ranking team (Quetta) into arena, with least rated players, and almost won the cup (Islamabad got lucky to win final). It was really surprising how a buoyant captain with ideas and energy, who is also good batsman and has naturally fast runs getting attitude, could change a team from failure to success.

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Shazad

Sep 14, 2016 01:56pm

Azhar record as Captain: Series: Played 8, lost 4, won 3, Rain 1. Matches: Played 25, lost 16, won 8, Rain 1 (Pak was losing, but saved by rain). In last 14 Matches, Pak lost 11, won 3. I think, not only just Captain Azhar, but whole PCB should be sent home.

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