Afridi to meet President, deadlock may end

Retired all-rounder likely to share details leading to his retirement.


Fawad Hussain September 19, 2011

KARACHI: The possibility of Shahid Afridi reversing his retirement decision was created following Waqar Younis’ decision to step down as team coach and the retired all-rounder’s planned meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari today may end the deadlock with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Afridi is due to meet the president as part of a group of sportsmen taking part in relief efforts for flood victims. The former captain may share his grievances on the sidelines of that meeting.

Afridi developed differences with Waqar during the tour of West Indies over team selection and after raising reservations following his return, he was removed as captain that led to his retirement. Afridi was also involved in a legal battle with the board after his NOCs to play in foreign tournaments were revoked by the board.

An official close to the player said that although the main agenda of the meeting was relief activities, talks of his tiff could not be ruled out.

“It’s not confirmed but there exists a possibility,” the official told The Express Tribune. “The meeting is meant for the relief campaign but Afridi’s issue may be discussed. A breakthrough can’t be ruled out.”

Meanwhile, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Sports Haleem Adil Sheikh clarified that the main aim was not to sort out Afridi’s differences.

“It’s a meeting of the delegation to decide the course of flood-relief campaign,” said Sheikh.

The delegation that will meet the president today also includes Olympians including hockey chief selector Hanif Khan as well as sprint queen Naseem Hamid. Sheikh, who is leading the campaign, has planned various activities including exhibition matches besides sending sports heroes to schools to raise funds.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th,  2011.

COMMENTS (14)

MKHAN | 12 years ago | Reply

If you want to win the next world cup.. Shahid Afridi has to be part of the team, not only part but an important member. He is the only senior so far who has not had major health issues in the past like most well known players. Being strong built he can bring home the World CUp 2015, the Next year T20 world cup and also groom Hafeez to be the new captain of the team. Misbah has no place in one day game.

Ee | 12 years ago | Reply

Afridi's retirement from Test Cricket came right before the Match Fixing Debacle. Were there more reasons for his retirement from test cricket than we know? Was he constantly under pressure from a match-fixing lobby? Who becomes the test captain right after him? what happened next? ... that much we all know.

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