Shoaib said there was a need to change the culture of the Pakistan team's dressing room with a captain who is honest and supportive of his players.
KARACHI: Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Monday said there was a need to change the culture of the Pakistan team's dressing room with a captain who is honest and supportive of his players.
"My experience is that in the past instead of using me as a match winner some of the captains used to play matches with me," Shoaib said in an apparent reference to Inzamam-ul Haq with whom he never had a smooth relationship.
"When you have a captain who has a ego problem or is jealous of performances of other players then you have a major problem in the team. I think there is a need to change our dressing room culture," he said.
Shoaib said there was a need to have an honest captain.
"I may have disagreements with Imran Khan on some issues. But I have no doubt he was our best leader because he was honest and expected the same from his players. He also didn't have any jealousy factor with him," he said.
He lashed out at the players who complained of being forced to play in too much heat in the ongoing national training camp for the series against Sri Lanka to be played in Abu Dhabi.
"I think we need to change our method of training and practice. We need to learn to play on grass and stop making excuses. Because we are professionals and take money for playing," he said.
Shoaib, however, said he had no problems with Shoaib Malik being made captain.
"He is like a younger brother to me and has always treated me with respect. All the younger players get along well with me. I have no issue in Malik being made the captain," he said.
Shoaib said it was time for things to move on in Pakistan cricket and a change in culture because except for a good home series against England the team had not won anything significant and it also played badly in the World Cup.
Shoaib, one of Pakistan's senior bowlers, paid rich tributes to Glenn McGrath, terming him as the best Test bowler.
"Wasim Akram was a good all-round bowler in Tests and one-dayers but McGrath was the best in Test matches."
He said to retire in a blaze of glory at the World Cup final was a dream come true for any player.
"To go out at your peak is something every cricketer wants to do. It is a dream come true," he said.
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