PCB considers sidelining Afridi

Limited-overs captain likely to be left out of Ireland series.

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering sidelining limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi from the Ireland series that starts after the West Indies tour. Afridi, who confirmed receiving a letter from the PCB demanding an explanation of the remarks made on team management’s interference during the Caribbean tour, returned to Pakistan after the completion of the limited-overs matches.

However, the PCB, irked by the comments, stated that Afridi is likely to be dropped from the Ireland series until the submission of the tour report at the end of the West Indies Test series.

“He won’t be selected until the submission of the tour report,” a PCB official told The Express Tribune. “Afridi’s future is in jeopardy as PCB ponders over the idea of a long-term captain.”

Afridi, according to the PCB official, was never the ideal option for captaincy and was given the role on a series-to-series basis.

The official said that the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt is looking to hand over the role to a long-term prospect and Misbahul Haq is being tipped to become the limited-overs captain with opener Mohammad Hafeez as the deputy.

Pakistanis draw tour match

Test captain Misbahul Haq shone for Pakistanis in their warm-up match against Guyana Board President’s XI with an unbeaten century.

The middle-order batsman struck 101 to take his team to 330 for seven before declaring. However, the Guyana side performed well to reach 252 for six as the two-day match ended in a draw.

Misbah built on the platform provided by openers Hafeez and Azhar Ali. The pair put on 92 and though both were dismissed by the time the score reached 136, Misbah continued the good work.

A minor collapse halted Pakistan’s progress but an 86-run partnership between the captain and Umar Gul took the team past 300.

The Guyana team were off to a steady start with the opening pair of Trevon Griffith and Shemroy Barrington being involved in a 77-run partnership.

And as Pakistan continued to strike, their opposition kept adding valuable runs. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was the most successful bowler for Pakistan picking up two for 41.

Chanderpaul, Bishoo in Test squad

West Indies confirmed batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo as part of the 13-man squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan that starts in Guyana on Thursday. Fast-bowler Fidel Edwards, who has not played for his country in two years due to a back injury, has also been named. While Bishoo is likely to make his debut in the series, Chanderpaul was initially doubtful after being left out of the One-Day International series against the same opposition. Brendan Nash will be vice-captain to Darren Sammy, who is hoping to lead West Indies to their first Test victory in 18 Tests.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2011.