Playing for Pakistan is like 'mental torture': Misbah

Pakistan cricket's endless parade of controversies and scandal has made playing for the national team akin to 'mental torture', according to captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Since appointed test captain in October after Salman Butt was banned for spot-fixing during last year's test series against England, Misbah has led a team dogged by corruption allegations and political in-fighting.

Following five-year bans imposed by the ICC on Butt and two other players in February, Pakistan have been rocked by the departure of sacked one-day captain Shahid Afridi, who resigned in acrimony in May citing differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

"It is a mental torture to go through such things and it affects your performance. It is bad for Pakistan cricket and people taunt us at home and abroad," the 37-year-old batsman Misbah told Geo Super sports channel in an interview.

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“Pakistan's players needed a union to educate them and improve communications with their coaches and paymasters in the wake of a number of ugly contractual disputes,” said Misbah, who took over the reins of the one-day side after Afridi's dismissal.

“A players association can play a positive role in preparing and grooming players for international cricket and in understanding their contractual obligations,” said Misbah, whose appointment as one-day captain sparked a row with Afridi.

“Once the contract is signed it is no use for players to complain about it. These matters must not be discussed in the media, it is better for players to directly speak to the board,” added Misbah.

Misbah's comments follow leg-spinner Danish Kaneria's legal challenge against the board's decision to overlook him for national selection.

Despite the troubles, Misbah said that he remained fit and passionate about the sport.

“I am mentally up for international cricket. As long as I am performing I will carry on, he said. Age is no bar for me. I feel a cricketer only matures after the age of 30. Fortunately that is what happened to me,” added Misbah.

Shahid Afridi has been named Pakistan captain

All-rounder Shahid Afridi has been named Pakistan captain for the World Cup starting later this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday.

The Pakistan board mentioned that Afridi, who led Pakistan to their first one-day series win since late 2008 with victory over New Zealand on Thursday, will have test captain Misbah-ul-Haq as his deputy.

"PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) announces Afridi as captain of Pakistan team for the World Cup. Misbah has been announced as vice captain for the event," the board said in a statement.

PCB chief Ijaz Butt, who is with the Pakistan team in the ongoing New Zealand tour, mentioned that the decision to appoint Afridi as captain was taken after a discussion with the team management and players.

"I had detailed discussions with team management and players in New Zealand regarding captain and vice captain," Butt said.

"I am pleased to state that everyone fully endorsed these decisions," he added.

The PCB announced their final 15-member World Cup squad last month but delayed naming the captain leading to speculation their had been a tie between Afridi and Misbah, who led Pakistan to a Test series win in New Zealand.

The board did not give any explanation for the delay in naming the flamboyant all-rounder, who has appeared in 311 one-dayers, as captain.

The PCB's decision to delay naming the captain had been criticised by former players and fans.

"It doesn't make a difference whether Misbah leads the side or I lead the side because we both are playing for our country, I have never been after captaincy," Afridi had said earlier this week.

Misbah had backed Afridi as captain. "I think Afridi has done a great job as captain and he has kept the team together and every player is contributing and wants to do well. He has led well," Misbah said after his man-of-the-match performance in New Zealand on Tuesday.

Pakistan have been drawn in Group A of the Feb. 19 to April 2 World Cup alongside Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.

Pakistan's former test captain, Rashid Latif backed the retention of Afridi for the World Cup.

"It was the logical thing to do because he has now been leading the one-day side since last year and the players are also comfortable with him and understand his leadership style," Latif told Reuters.

"If anything I don't understand what prompted the board to delay the announcement. It only led to speculation which is not good for Pakistan cricket ahead of such an important event," Latif added.

© Cricbuzz (with inputs from agencies)