Afridi not doing well as captain in NZ: Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels that Shahid Afridi's leadership in the ongoing New Zealand tour has not been up to the mark and the players were also not performing to their abilities.

Akram told a television channel that Pakistan lost the Twenty20 series in New Zealand because the players were not playing as a unit and if they continue like this it will be difficult to make an impact in World Cup starting next month.

"Because the team is not playing as one they are facing many problems and their performances are suffering," he said. "One saw a lack of leadership in the team and the players also did not play to their ability and if they continue playing this way then they will also lose the Test and ODI series in New Zealand," the former left-arm pacer said.

Akram though felt that the difficult conditions in New Zealand and the presence of many inexperienced players in the team had also contributed to the poor performance of the side.

He said it was obvious that Pakistan were struggling against strong teams without pacers Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir in their bowling attack.

"The bowlers face problems against stronger teams and we are missing Aamir and Asif who were developing into a world class new ball opening pair," he said.

Another former captain Moin Khan has, however, advised the PCB against appointing another captain at this juncture, saying it would be making a big mistake to change the leader so close to the World Cup.

"It would be a big folly to even think about changing the captain now because the World Cup is now very close and there is no time at all for experimentations," he said.

Moin said that it would be sensible for the PCB and selectors to stick with the combination of Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq and retain the former as captain for the World Cup.

He also called for consistency in the selection of national teams and said the players should be allowed to settle down to perform to their potential.