KARACHI — Former paceman Shoaib Akhtar labelled captain Misbahul Haq “a coward” and “a selfish player” after Pakistan was crushed by 150 runs by West Indies in the World Cup Saturday. “I have not seen a more coward and selfish captain than Misbah,” the 39-year-old Akhtar told the Geo News TV channel. “He is not willing to bat up the order to protect the other players at a time when he needs to show inspiration. “He is happy with his own runs and I don't know what coach Waqar Younis wants. He has no game plan or direction for the team,” added the man known as the Rawalpindi Express, who won 46 Test caps and played in 163 One-Day Internationals. Misbah, 40, has been a successful Test captain since taking charge in 2010 and has also led the one-day squad since 2011. He batted at No. 5 against West Indies in Christchurch Saturday but made only seven as Pakistan was bowled out for 160 to slump to its second straight defeat in the competition. Former Test captain Ramiz Raja also believes it is time for senior batsman Younis Khan to step down after failing in the opening two World Cup matches. “I beg of Younis. Thank you for your services to Pakistan cricket but please leave this ODI side now,” said Ramiz. “I think Younis should tell the management he should be rested. Our fielding has also been a joke but we need just one good match to get back on the winning track.” Irate fans also vented their anger. In Multan angry supporters carried out a mock funeral of Pakistan cricket, offering prayers around a bed of cricket bats and smashing television sets with sticks on the roads. “This is a joke we arrange for special sittings to watch the match together and we stay up all night praying for their success and they perform like a third-rate team,” Pakistan fan Zamir Ahmed said. Another former captain Mohammad Yousuf called for wholesale changes after the World Cup. “The problems ailing our cricket will not go away unless we produce better batsmen and the management is reshuffled,” Yousuf said. Former Test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was also scathing in his criticism. “We went to pieces against a West Indies side hit by internal issues so what can we expect from this team in the remaining games?,” Saqlain said. — Reuters
