Despite a disappointing season and calls to exclude him from the side due to poor form, the selection committee has backed all-rounder Shahid Afridi after Pakistan went down in the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia.
Afridi, who developed injury issues during the three-match series that sidelined him from the second ODI and the opening Twenty20 against Australia that started yesterday, managed just seven runs in two outings and claimed a solitary wicket, triggering questions over his future.
However, a selector has backed the former captain, saying the senior all-rounder has the ability to regain his form.
“Afridi is a god-gifted player,” the selector told The Express Tribune. “We’re not bothered by his form. He’s the kind of player who has the ability to bounce back and hopefully he’ll do that soon.”
However, the selection committee member said that Afridi should have opted to rest in the final ODI.
Meanwhile, the official was not impressed with Kamran Akmal’s performance who was preferred over the young Sarfraz Ahmed due to his batting credentials.
Kamran, who was impressive during the Sri Lankan Premier League as he managed a tally of 203 runs in five games for Wayamba United, made just six runs in two innings for Pakistan besides missing a stumping in the final ODI that Pakistan lost by three wickets.
“One has to take certain factors into consideration before saying that he performed poorly. But it’s not an excuse for his ordinary batting performance.
“Kamran must improve his batting because he was chosen over Sarfraz to strengthen the batting line-up. We expected a good performance from him,” said the official before adding that the wicket-keeper’s future could not be ascertained on the basis of a single series.
Meanwhile, the selector said the middle-order batsmen and poor fielding were to be blamed for the series defeat.
“Our middle-order failed to capitalise on good starts and the fielders missed vital opportunities. We were beaten because of our own mistakes otherwise it was a perfect opportunity to win the series.” However, the selector also counted a few positives.
“Nasir Jamshed was the biggest positive and the way [Mohammad] Hafeez regained his batting form was also good news. Junaid Khan also showed that a bright future lies ahead of him and justified his selection.
“Our spinners especially Saeed Ajmal showed top form and he once again proved his mettle.”
Mohsin Khan
“Barring a couple of batsmen, our middle-order did not play well. We missed catches and it’s the coach’s job to guide players who are repeating the mistakes.”
Misbahul Haq
“Our lower-order is not contributing, which is essential. We needed 30 to 40 from the lower order and that is why we kept Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi in the lower order.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (23)
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its time for Afridi to say goodbye gracefully, and let other youngsters to take his role. We have seen his performanace which has gone done drastically. If he proves during the next domestic season that he still has fire power, then he should give him a chance else show him the door.
Forget about his bad form, which is momentary, and which he surely will overcome. The aura that Boom Boom khan creates due to his presence in the team is something you cannot dispense with.
Actually Pakistani ppl has forgot Afridi's contribution,in many matches including t20 world cup which has won by Pakistan only by his performance.(Afridi is one man Army).Pakistanis shuld not forget his contribution at any time.His fans shud be stand by him always.....,coss he is not a comman man he is a match winner & Hero of ur Nation.At this difficult time people should encourage him, support him.In this case Pakistani ppl must learn from Indian ppl ,how they support our players every moment they stood behind our players. Now Afridi needs ur support to show his good performance,and bounce back.Im sure he will...........!
@B: Being bad at it? Afridi holds one of the highest number of records in the cricketing world
Afridi has become a politician recently, he should stick to cricket
Afridi certainly needs to bounce back otherwise he will be bounced off the team.
Afridi should perform in today's match else he's of no use.
afridi is the biggest threat to any team and people who talk rubbish about him dont realize the word key because afridi is the key player of pakistan team
He should continue with T20s and say good bye to ODIs
Lets hope so...
Correction: It is God-gifted not god-gifted..
whats the use of him bouncing now, series is finished , he should be bouncing in his home
@B: we are truly thankless nation............!@!!!! he has at least won us 100 ODIs and 15 t20s.....
we have short memories.....only a couple of months ago he was man of the match in 2nd T20 against Sri Lanka..........he scored 52 in 33 balls and took 2-17...with 5 fours and one six........and helped square the series.
Every player has good and bad time but we should not forget one's contribution. Remeber his contribution in T20 world cup won by pakistan and he is the man who bring the team upto semi-final in last world cup. The man(Misbah) because of him we lost last world cup since neither he tried to play against India nor he let others to play and he is know our captain.
Pakistan cricket Team is incomplete without Boom Boom, there is no cricket without you La La, Get will Soon
If Kamran Akmal can make a come back after 18 months and dropping multiple catches in the world cup semi-final, then Afridi can surely bounce back. The people who say it's time for him tot retire should watch out for the T20 world cup, I am sure Afridi will be a major player in Pakistan team's success just like he was the highest wicket taker in the 2011 world cup.
Mat Runs HS Ave Wkts BBI Ave 16 182 51 15.16 15 5/36 43.13
extremely ordinary stats for 2012 from a "God gifted player" who has played 349 one day internationals in his career.
I am a big fan of Afridi but the currently the equation is Afridi IN... Pakistan LOSS Afridi OUT... Pakistan WINS
Please tell us the selectors name also. Why are you guys hiding the selectors name. The selector must be a politician as Afridi. Afridi time for you to retire and let the young blood play who will give their 100%.
Let me guess - the selector sahib was from Karachi?
Afridi has got to be the luckiest person alive on the planet for having played a professional sport for so long despite being so bad at it.
High time for Afridi to say "good bye" to international cricket in a graceful manner.