Afridi returns to national squad
Afridi, who had a meeting with the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf yesterday, will be playing under Misbahul Haq’s captaincy when the ODI series kicks off on November 11. Umar Akmal, who shone with the bat in the Hong Kong Super Sixes that Pakistan won, returns to national duty too after being overlooked for the Test series.
Left-arm fast-bowler Wahab Riaz, warming the bench for the first two Tests, was a surprise omission despite his good show in the format. While the PCB or the stand-in chief selector Mohammad Ilyas refused to give a reason for the omission, Riaz’s alleged involvement in spot-fixing on the tour of England last year, and the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) statement confirming an extended probe, could have forced the PCB to overlook him.
The biggest news, however, was the return of Afridi who was sacked as captain after the series against West Indies and retired from international cricket in protest. The all-rounder, however, reversed his conditional retirement following the resignation of coach Waqar Younis and the tenure of former PCB chief Ijaz Butt coming to an end.
“It’s an honour and privilege to play for Pakistan,” Afridi had told reporters after his meeting with Ashraf. “I have a lot of cricket left in me and I want to perform for the sake of my fans who have always stood by me. I’m ready to contribute as a senior player.”
Meanwhile, allrounder Abdul Razzaq also returns to the limited-overs squad for the first time since the team’s loss at the hands of India in Mohali. Razzaq was snubbed for the series against West Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe after which he blamed the team management for not utilising him effectively.
Umar Gul returns to lead the attack in ODIs after being rested for the series against Zimbabwe. In the absence of Riaz, Gul will be backed up by Junaid Khan, who has remained impressive in the two Tests against Sri Lanka.
A team official confirmed to The Express Tribune that Junaid’s hugely impressive show in the Tests was the reason behind Riaz’s omission.
Karachi-based Sarfraz Ahmad replaces Adnan Akmal as the wicket-keeper after the former’s good show in the Faysal Bank Twenty20 Cup that took place in September and October. Ahmad has played nine ODIs so far.
Former captain and allrounder, Shoaib Malik, has retained his place despite his struggle during the Zimbabwe series where he averaged just eight from three matches.
Pakistan’s ODI squad
Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2011.
COMMENTS (43)
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Welcome back BOOM BOOM .......and EID MUBARAK
welcome back Affridi without the team is not completed.
Congrats Boom Boom..Afridi is back bone of Pakistan cricket team we love you boom boom
Welcome back boom boom, not the team Pakistan is completed
Afridi and Malik Both are trouble makers and Who ever is not performing should be kicked out of the team.
Need to complete banned on afridi.
Why Imran Farhat included again??... Rameez Raja Jr and Hammad Azam should be in the line up. Welcome Back Lala
@Pakistani Hindu: Hooray! Afridi has returned to cricket. He is an honest man for admitting he is not cut out for Test Cricket.
Lost whatever little respect I had for this dude.
Welcome back Mr Clean.
It is great to know that Afridi is back. Afridi is the player who is: 1. A genuine fighter 2. A captain who leads from the front 3. A man who helped inculcate Pakistaniat practically among the Pakistanis during the last world cup. For more reading upon Pakistaniat, plz visit http://www.ahmadhammad.com 4. A batsman who has the world record in batting; both in hitting Sixes and scoring the Fastest century 5. makes the boys fight 6. plays 'clean cricket'. 7. was the whistle blower against the attrocities of the notorious Ijaz Butt. 8. bowls, bats and speaks well. 9. plays to win, and not to make records unlike the Indian players who aim at making records only, come whatever may... 10. became a cult in Pakistan right after his debut...
@Pakistani Hindu: May I ask you why?
They should have permanently banned him ever since he started his childish behaviour destroying pitches and tampering with the ball. Last time we lost to india, the whole team got egged at the airport. I dont understand what we love this disgraceful fellow for. He has zero honor.
lol so funny that people forget the past! you are the same people talking about afridi greatness when he took a damaged team surrounded by scandals and reached semifinal and now all the ediots dont want to see him!
the only person to have stood by his words and he did not acted immature off field he took a conditional retirement and all the conditions he wanted are met now so is he back!
Watever people say he is the only person who can lead Pakistan( even if he doesnt perform at all) and history has the proof.
great news, afridi and sarfraz ahmed is back again !!
No but theyre not getting it....we dont want him in the squad...he needs to be told whos boss..!!
Tanvir Ahmed deserves place in the team after his excellent performances. Players should not be eliminated like this.
Drama Queen is back ...why are so many people so happy? We were doing just fine with out him !!!
Lala is back :)
Whats Shoaib Malik doing in the team? What led to his selection?
Glad to know Shahid Afridi is well on his way to represent his country on an international level - Congrats Boom Boom :) Now show everyone your talents once again to remind those who criticise you why you are vital to this team :) You have been training for this moment and finally it is here for you, so may Almighty Allah Bless You and Keep on Going on the Road to Victory! :)
Is any mature person available in Pakistan? Afridi and other Pakistani players will keep on changing their stand "permanatly" in such matters. I remember Imran Khan at this moment who also retired severl times. I remember when Afridi played in semi of WC, he praised Indian. After going Pakistan he changed. When crictisied agains change. So "change in permanant ! "
Razzaq should be included in the team before Afridi. The good thing is Afridi would be playing under one of the only highly euducated man Misbah. Great to see Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal missing. It would keep the team clean. In addition, there must be a ban on the players to open their mouth in the media. Enought politics and dirty laundry in public, let your bat do the talking specially Afridi. No need for insubordinance and politicizing the game.
wao Rippa:)))
AFRIDI NO MORE! Afridi has completely lost his respect in the eyes of the nation by consistently being immature both on and off the field, this power hungry mediocre cricketer can't do Pakistan any good. He was a silent spectator to all the fixing that happened around him, allowing a crime to happen is as bad as being the criminal yourself. I don't trust any of these characters now. Besides, the team is doing really well, this power-hungry fellow will want to captain the team again and will likely conspire against Misbah. Keep all the corrupt/senior cricketers out of the team except Younis Khan/Misbah. We don't need Afridi.
Shame on selectors. End of Misbah and Pakistan's victories.
The ball biter is back. This disgraceful episode should have brought out outrage in everyone of us. But we have chosen to look the other way, treating it as some sort of minor peccadillo.
It is this environment of condoning the behavior of our super stars that has given rise to the birth of venalism in cricket. What signals are we sending to the potential line-crossers?
@Pakistani Hindu: why...?
yeah he is the undisputed darling of pakistanis in uae ..v r all waitin 4 u shahid.......
i've become so numb i cant feel you there
I dont understand all the negativity about afridi - WAKE UP PEOPLE- he may not be a good batsman but he is a great fielder and bowler and he brings inspiration to the team. Also shocking how wahab riaz has been dropped whilst cheema and tanvir make the team. Not that they are bad bowlers but riaz is better and should be developed for future big tournaments
lucky srilanka.
Absolutely no vision for the future. Most of the selected ones are the same old horses. Shouldn't we be preparing a team for next world cup???
Isn't Abdul Razzaq making comeback? Isn't this worth mentioning?
Afridi not again. Enough of immature batting and getting out on below 10. Spinner and bowlers are doing fine and we don't need another bowler. So please leave Afridi. Rest is good.
I'm thinking there's more to dropping Wahab than just his form. I'm guessing his superficial involvement in the spot-fixing saga has to do something with it.
that is good to come back afridi
He should/must have been banned permanently.