The one player I would most like in my team is Ricky Ponting. The Aussie has had a great career, with his brilliant captaincy and batting skills, and is one of the most respected and finest players in cricket.

The ACB made him captain of Australia, ignoring some more senior players like Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. And he did not let them down, showing the world that the decision was absolutely correct. Under his captaincy, Australia won consecutive World Cups, in 2003 and in 2007. He was part of the team who became world champions in 1999, 2003, 2007.

Ponting is the man for a crisis. His spectacular innings in the final of the 2003 World Cup was a major influence on the match. His 140 runs not out were a treat to watch. But there were many controversies and upsets in his captaincy career as well. The biggest to date was the defeat of Australia at the hands of England in the historic and traditional Ashes series in 2005. There were some concerns growing about his captaincy style and a wooden approach. But whenever his team was in difficulty he rose to the occasion and played important innings that were critical to the Australian cause.

In the 2007 World Cup people were hoping to see Australia finally defeated after eight years of dominance and after a poor series against New Zealand that raised the hopes of rival nations. Injuries to some of Australia’s key player were also a factor but Ponting's side grasped victory by beating Sri Lanka in the final.

His Test career as well as his ODI career includes many successes. He is probably regarded as the best Australian captain ever after Steve Waugh. More than 10,000 runs with the bat and some brilliant fielding performances are a highlight and his captaincy skills are probably the best in the world of cricket.

Even in the most difficult circumstances he stays calm and usually guides his team to victory. At the time of need he knows which bowler should be used or how the field should be set and due to these factors Australia has ruled the world of cricket during his captaincy. That is why I very much want him in my team, Pakistan, as we suffer very much from poor captaincy nowadays, although we have really good players.