Misbah: Pakistan must share Afridi's burden

Paul Radley

Last Updated: Mar 7, 2011

Misbah-ul-Haq plays a shot during Pakistan's Group A win against Canada at the World Cup.

Lakruwan Wanniarachchi / AFP

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KANDY // Misbah-ul-Haq, the vice-captain, insists Pakistan are not a one-man team, and says his side are ready to share Shahid Afridi’s burden, starting tomorrow against New Zealand.

Afridi, the captain, has taken 14 wickets in three matches so far at the World Cup, winning two man of the match awards in the process.

He is almost exclusively to thank for Pakistan’s 100 per cent record so far in Sri Lanka, which has left them top of Group A.

However, his deputy, Misbah, says his teammates will be ready to take up the slack should Afridi’s high standards start to drop.

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“The best thing for a team is that the captain performs well, but other players are contributing, too,” Misbah said.

“Having your captain playing so well and being the man of the match in every game is a real plus point for our team.

“Everybody else is still focused and everybody else wants to play that role in the team in the coming games, perform well and take responsibility off him.”

In their next group match, Pakistan meet New Zealand, who have won two and lost one match at the World Cup so far, in Pallakele.

pradley@thenational.ae

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