Hafeez 'ideal choice as captain' for 2015 World Cup: Mushtaq

Islamabad, Feb 24 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad has said that all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is the ideal choice to lead the country into the 2015 World Cup.

Mushtaq believed that Hafeez had all the qualities needed in a leader.

"Hafeez is a smart cricketer. "He's intelligent, very knowledgeable and can work well with a young group. I suggest he's given a young group of players to work with and let him lead the One-Day and Twenty20 teams.

"Give him the captaincy now so that he has time to establish himself and give youngsters a proper chance. That way, Pakistan cricket will reap the rewards."

Mushtaq also asked the Pakistani selectors to introduce youth in the ageing limited-overs squad to reverse the team's fortunes after a 4-0 whitewash at the hands of England in the UAE.

"One of the differences between England and the Pakistan during the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) was the freshness and levels of energy in the England side. They had a youthful and energetic side in the field, whereas the Pakistan side looked an aged and tired unit. This is also the time to start preparing for the World Cup. All other teams are introducing younger players and planning for the 2015 World Cup, but Pakistan seem to be reluctant to do this," he added.

Mushtaq believed that the selectors needed to identify a group of 20 young players to form the ODI and Twenty20 squads and should stick with that group of players until the World Cup.

"The 2012 World Twenty20 is later this year and while the selectors have left it late for youngsters to establish themselves in the Twenty20 side, there's a chance to throw a few of them into this team as well," he said. (ANI)