Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq hit back at criticism from ex-players who advised him to think out of the box, asking should hapless tailender Mohammad Irfan be sent in as a World Cup opener?

Pakistan's top order has flopped in the last four games with opening stands.

Pakistan tried veteran Younis Khan and Nasir Jamshed, but the moves did not work, leaving them to consider using Sarfraz Ahmed as opener against South Africa today.

When asked what he thinks of former captains, Javed Miandad and Ramiz Raja's advice of thinking out of the box, Misbah quipped: "Out of the box? Should we open with Irfan?"