Intikhab Alam calls Shahid Afridi a 'clueless captain'

Pakistan’s team amanger for the ICC World T20 Intikhab Alam has come down heavily on the team’s performance in the event, stating that the side lacked depth in both batting and bowling and also had a captain who didnt have the tactical leaderships on or off the field.

“The recent Asia Cup and the ICC World T20 have made it evident that we have critical gaps both in batting and bowling, and our fielding keeps on leaking runs, thus releasing pressure. In bowling, with the exception of Mohammad Amir, we do not have a bowler who can win us matches. Our death bowling also is way below par. And the same goes with our batting line-up, where we do not have reliable pinch hitters and the top and power hitter to clinch us games.

"Much to our chagrin [added to the above reasons], was a captain in his farewell event after a career spanning nearly 20 years, yet absolutely clueless in terms of on-field tactics and off-field leadership,” Alam wrote in his report after the Men In Green’s first round exit from the competition.

The 74-year-old added that the side was further not helped by the fact that two off the field controversies marred their campaign and blamed the lack of attacking instincts during India’s chase of 119 against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, on a pitch that he taught had changed charcter following heavy rain in Kolkata that day.

"We were also set back by two absolutely needless controversies, the first emanating from Afridi's 'more-loved-in-India-than-in-Pakistan' statement in his mandatory on-arrival press conference [had he stuck to the detailed briefing given to him by the Media Manager and myself, this would not have occurred] and Umar Akmal again stealing the limelight in an unseemly manner by seeking Imran Khan's intervention to fix his batting position at three, when he had done little to inspire confidence at number 4.

I also felt if proper field placing was placed for Shoaib Malik in his initial over may have given us a breakthrough; it was very surprising to see in a low-scoring game there was no attacking field-placing. There was no slip; had he employed a slip cordon for Malik, we may have had Yuvraj as two chances from his blade went through.

“On the day, the events also conspired against us. For one, the weather didn't help. On the same square where the Pakistan batsmen gave a command performance against Sri Lanka [the warm-up match] and Bangladesh, the weather suddenly turned from sultry and sunny to wet and unpredictable. Intermittent rain during the night prior to the game, followed by further downpours and overcast skies, meant that the pitch and outfield remained covered for more than 24 hours, changing its character from slow in pace to a spitefully turning and gripping one,” he said.