ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said the title of ‘Tuk Tuk’ given to the Test captain Misbahul Haq’s was very wrong as he has saved the team on many a occasions.
“Misbah’s shot selection is excellent and it was very unfair of us to have given names to Misbah like ‘Tuk Tuk’,” he said. Wasim said if Misbah had not played slowly and in a mature way then Pakistan would have been bowled out for 70-80 runs in every other game. “We should thank Misbah for the way he bats. He has learnt now to bat in tough conditions,” he said. He said it was Misbah’s style to come in, settle first and get the strike rotation going. “Misbah has now retired from Twenty20s and ODIs and he is now enjoying Test cricket,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wasim feels pacer M Aamir should be given a second chance as the religion Islam teaches to forgive those who ask for forgiveness.
Wasim added Aamir has served his time and has been rehabilitated, and is bowling brilliantly in the on-going Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
“His return to International cricket is not in the hands of individuals who may or may not want him back,” said Wasim.
Former left-arm pacer said it is up to the PCB to take the decision on Aamir’s return and player power will not dictate this decision. “My opinion is that Aamir deserves a second chance. He has to be praised because he is doing so well, what else should we expect from him,” he said.
Wasim said his advice to the players who are speaking against Amir is to mind their own business and keep an eye on their own performances. “I am following the progress of our players in the BPL and I am really enjoying that,” he said.
Speaking about the Pakistan ODI team performance, Wasim said he was not impressed by looking at the Pakistan ODI batting line-up. “M Rizwan and Sarfraz Ahmed are good batsmen but are they good enough to play as batsmen alone,” he said. Wasim also commented on Pakistan’s recent running woes. “It appears that no one has ever taught us how to run between wickets,” said Wasim.