Captain should have final say over team selection: Misbah

National team captain Misbahul Haq said on Tuesday the captain and coach of the team should have the final say over team selection.

“I think the coach and captain should have the authority to make selections,” Misbah said, while addressing the media after a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials.

“Team selection is done by the selection committee. A captain can only recommend players, but does not have the final say on selection,” he added.

Lamenting over Pakistan crashing out of the World Cup following Australia’s emphatic victory in the quarter-finals, Misbah said he had no authority to influence selection matters.

Responding to a question as to why Sarfraz Ahmed was not included in the playing eleven during the initial matches, Misbah said, “Initially, Sarfraz Ahmed had difficulties but there were no differences within the team.”

Further, Misbah said Pakistan’s bowling is their strong point and the bowlers played spectacularly. “But our batting and fielding needs improvement,” he said.

‘Do not blame me for everything’

Lashing out at a ‘senior’ players critiquing him for the green shirts faltering World Cup campaign, Misbah disappointingly said, “If there are draw backs in cricket, they are not because of me.”

In an apparent reference to former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s statements against him, Misbah said, “If batting failed, it wasn’t my fault neither was it my fault that international cricket is not played in Pakistan anymore.”

“I am not responsible for the attack on Sri Lanka’s team,” he added.

Further, criticising media houses for giving air time to people who are not experts and criticise the team, Misbah said, “There should be a criteria for media appearances, if people come and criticise us wrongfully then no one will be motivated to play.”

One-day career ends

Further, Misbah said his one-day career has come to an end and the decision of his retirement is final.

“My ODI career ends now.”

Team performance

Misbah added that everyone in the team performed well and there was not one player who did not make an effort to win,

“We reached till the quarter-finals despite having lost the first two matches owing to our determination and efforts,” he said.

“And we lost to the best team, Australia, and not any ordinary team,” he added.

Further, Misbah claimed Pakistan team played cricket despite multiple set-backs and losing players to injuries.

Shifting his choice for his favourites for the World Cup, Misbah said, “I think New Zealand will win the tournament.”