Moin and Wasim were the best for me - Razzaq

In a frank admission, Abdul Razzaq has spoken of his slow descent as an allrounder and the effect different captains have had on his career. Mid Day found him in a candid mood - and perhaps without the team manager, whose brief was to filter players' statements before they were released.

"I think Moin and Wasim were the best captains for me," said Razzaq. "When I started, Wasim was my skipper and he utilised me well and it was the same with Moin. They knew my potential and backed me well.

"I know I have not been up to the mark in recent times. But I am trying to lift my game so that I get back onto the top rung of allrounders again." In past years, observers noticed that while his batting had flourished and he became more aggressive in the final overs of one-dayers, his bowling form dipped significantly. However, his bowling stock began to rise towards the end of the VB Series in Australia, when he cut and swung the ball both ways.

"Now I bat way down the order and they tell me that you cannot bat the full 50 overs. You'll only get to bat in the last 10. That, in a way, has helped me develop my big hitting."