Pakistan

‘Afridi didn’t need to raise hell’

Waqar surprised by all-rounder’s decision, PCB forms disciplinary committee.

Umar Farooq June 02, 2011

LAHORE:

While admitting to having conflicts with former captain Shahid Afridi, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis expressed his surprise over how the all-rounder had ‘raised hell’ while announcing his retirement.

Afridi announced his international retirement protesting the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to remove him from One-Day International captaincy as well as the treatment meted out to him. Waqar expressed his disappointment with the announcement and termed it an unfortunate episode.

“When you spend a lot of time together, differences do emerge and views might conflict to some extent but that doesn’t mean you raise hell,” said Waqar while talking to reporters at Gaddafi Stadium after submitting the tour report. “The whole episode is very unfortunate and I’m very disappointed because Pakistan cricket was heading up.”

Waqar said he had a positive and productive meeting with the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt in which he submitted his report on the tour of West Indies.

“To be a Pakistan coach is a tough job and criticism comes your way regularly. One must also be ready for it. Being a coach, if the team performs well, I get credit and in case of its failure, I get the blame as well.”

Afridi’s removal from captaincy was reportedly because of him lashing out against the team management, notably Waqar for ‘interfering too much’. However, Waqar appeared reluctant to comment on Afridi’s comments but did believe that the all-rounder was improving.

“I was obviously happy with his captaincy as he was improving but I don’t want to comment further. I have handed my report to the chairman. As a coach, I have my own domain and I know my job description. I never interfered with Afridi’s job or in the selection affairs. His statement that the coach intervened comes as a surprise and I fail to understand why he said such a thing.”

PCB forms disciplinary committee

Meanwhile, in response to the reply sent by Afridi to the PCB’s charge-sheet, the board has formed a three-member committee to look into the conflict.

The committee is made up of Sultan Rana (Director Domestic Cricket), Shafiq Ahmed (GM Domestic Cricket) and Usman Wahla (Manager International Cricket) and has asked Afridi to appear before them on Wednesday.

Commenting on the letter sent to Afridi today, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad said, “It is painful for us to get involved in a dispute with a cricketer who has been the national team captain until the West Indies series.”

He lauded Afridi’s contribution to Pakistan cricket but emphasised on the need to maintain strict discipline in the team and among the players.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (11)

Zeeshan | 12 years ago | Reply Shahid Afridi has shown his immaturity again and again, both on and off the field. Pakistan has lost many important matches during the last 10 months due to his irresponsible batting including World Cup semi-final. He should have shown good ethics and professionalism by speaking to PCB in resolving the matter rather making it public. Further, this also shows his lack of knowledge and awareness to the terms and conditions of the contract he has signed with PCB. His reaction on the removal of captaincy was more like a small kid. Pakistan need a good leader with good work ethics, behaviour, professionalism, diplomacy and knowledge.

M.AKRAM NIAZI | 12 years ago | Reply Shahid afridi is not a real cricketer he is a irresponsible cricketer and careless man such people should not be made the leader or captain of people and teams. It was PCB fault to make him the team Captain, as it was Nawaz Sharief Fault to make Pervez Musharaf the Chief of army staff. M.AKRAM NIAZI

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Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply @Waqar: Please do not take it personally. If a player keeps performing there is never a problem. I would appreciate if you give the career records of Afridi vs. the other player you mentioned. Here are some clod hard facts that I have not made up: In 325 ODI, Afridi has scored 6695 runs at an average of 23.49. In only 175 ODI Imran Khan has scored 3709 runs at an average of 34.41. It means if Imran would have played as many games as Afridi, he would have already scored a lot more total runs than Afridi with a whopping average! If we look at the more important ODI, like World Cup here is the record: The world cup record is Shahid Afridi 1999-2011 Played 20 Innings 18 not out 0 total runs 209 highest 37 and average 11.61 Imran Khan 1975-1992 Played 28 Innings 24 Not out 5 Total 666 Highest 102* Average 35.05 In fact specialist bowlers like Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhter have better world cup batting averages than “Doom Doom”. Comparing the bowling achievements of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram or Akther would be ridicules to say the least. By playing more matches, digging wickets, chewing the ball and making daily statements does not make a great cricketer. Please give the hard numbers which do not lie. It is not a popularity contest, it should only be on merit.

Afridi | 12 years ago | Reply Who so ever talk bad of Afridi is Lotera of Ijaz Butt,,,,shame on you people, you have been dancing till now for Afridi in Lahore streets and now started barrages of these bad wording. At least you people need to try to keep your own integrity if not of Homeland...this site is been watched by whole world. And they know Ijazz Butt as much as they are familiar with Afridi.

Amer | 12 years ago | Reply The problem was never with Waqar or Afridi but with Mr. BUTT! Need a say more!

Farrukh | 12 years ago | Reply Ijaz Butt, has gone past his time. Less than 3 years in term, 9 captains, don't know how many coaches. (3, I can recall, Lawson, Intekhab and Waqar). Criticized and accused the English team for Match Fixing and later when he was challenged, he reversed his statement and apologized. Ijaz Butt has no clue how to run an organization. I am not surprised, as he was appointed by the President of Pakistan.

Waqar | 12 years ago | Reply Cricket is a game led by captains and not by coaches...Afridi though unpredictable has delivered results in last 9 months ...specially if u consider the circumstances in which he got the job... Why the hell no one talks about Ijaz butt...even afridi said that his issues with the skipper are minnor and can be settled... Ijaz Butt has already caused too much damage

Waqar | 12 years ago | Reply @Mirza...what are u talking about...u think he has a midiocre record...do u even know cricket...he is only the second cricketer who has more than 300 wickets and more than 6000 runs in ODI's...and if he plays for two 3 years he will easily pass 8000 run mark and 400+ wickets...

Jawad Hussain | 12 years ago | Reply Shahid Afridi was not improving as a captain. He can't remember how many overs his bowlers have bowled in an ODI or a T20 match. He is not aware of the cricket rules; he as a bowling team's captain takes "BATTING POWERPLAY" (he did it two times; once in New Zealand ODIs and then in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011); he never showed any responsibility in the way he batted right throughout his tenure as captain. Moreover, his own fellow cricketers openly say after the world cup that this guy is a back-stabber or (Meethi Churri) as he shows as if he is pampering you but at the same time he is killing you with his politics. What I think is that the time is taking revenge from him as what he did to some of the former captains is coming in front of him now.

Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply Afridi would not be Afridi if he shows patience, diplomacy and leadership. He is what today's Pakistan is. No wonder he is popular among the masses despite his mediocre career record. Compared to a previous captain say Imran Khan, Jawed Miandad, Waseem Akram and others, his personal record is not even in the same league. Withe his bowling career as one of the best in Pakistan and in the world, Waqar Younus is a titan compared to Afridi. In addition, WY after living and working abroad for several years, has far better work ethics and professionalism. Afridi should not use resignation as silver bullet. He can use that only once and not every now and then when there is a problem with discipline. He should keep his mouth shut and let his bat do the talking. To his supporters what was his performance in West Indies? In the four full World Cup tournaments that he has played over 10 plus years, he has never scored even 40 runs. Not even against the weak associate members! Even in the last World Cup, in the final two games, hisi performance and leadership was nothing to write home about. It were those two big games in which we could see the difference between men and boys. Sad to say some boys never grew up!

sidd | 12 years ago | Reply As much as like afridi but if i have to choose between waqar and afridi then will definitely go for waqar cause he is the only person who can hone the raw talent of pakistan eternal lineup of fast bowlers.

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