Shahid Afridi may be out of form but still has plenty of support.
Despite a woeful performance at the recently-concluded World Twenty20 that triggered calls for his exit, former captain Moin Khan believes the all-rounder still has firepower left to serve the country.
Afridi failed miserably with the bat, while also leaving fans disappointed with an ordinary show with the ball. The star all-rounder’s below-par show in the tournament has been dubbed as one of the main reasons for Pakistan’s failure to win the title.
However, Moin opposed the notion that Afridi was a spent force.
“Afridi can still serve the country,” the former captain told reporters while responding to queries on Afridi’s future. “He shouldn’t retire but should take some rest that will help him regain his form.
“I also advise the same to Imran Nazir who also struggled in the tournament.”
‘PCB should be lenient with Razzaq’
Meanwhile, the former wicket-keeper, while speaking on the issue regarding Abdul Razzaq who faces disciplinary action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said the reaction from the all-rounder was natural.
Razzaq blasted captain Mohammad Hafeez for snubbing him for the semi-final against Sri Lanka after which the all-rounder was slapped with a showcause notice by the PCB.
“Razzaq’s comments were not appropriate,” said Moin. “But he should have played in the World Twenty20. Razzaq’s reaction was natural as he knows he does have some time left in his career.”
Moin also backed Hafeez as captain. “Hafeez showed good signs of captaincy. He should be given more time but he will need to learn from his mistakes.” However, Moin questioned coach Dav Whatmore’s performance, saying the team has hardly shown any improvement since he took charge earlier this year.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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@Green Oval: dude i agree with u word by word except fawad alam...in my view he should not be even playing the club cricket...i can bat better than him...but coz its ROZI ROTI maamla, so let him play club cricket and earn some living,otherwise he is just of no use.
@Zietgiest: @A. Khan: I agree with both of you. With time and more chances Afridi is not going to get better or more dependable. What is wrong in giving this many chances to youngsters? I distinctly remember a great inning by Razzak against a tough bowling attack and win the game. When was the last time Boom Boom won a game against a class team with his batting? As far as his bowling is concerned we have many choices. Cheers, Mirza
Afridi has played more than a decade. He should rest now.
Afridi doesn't have a brain! No amount of rest or practice is going to help him!
@Pakistani: Just an insane comment by an afridi troll , similar to PTI trolls
He is tired from what??? what has he ever done, few runs/wickets in a match where his fate would be decided and then a long dry run, when has he actually delivered for Pakistan when runs or wickets were needed or a responsible innings was needed. He should leave permanently.
If you can't support our team and our players in their bad times so don't even dare to make joy on their achievements! Lala we are with you. Hope you come out in a good form soon.
All of us have to accept that with age, our reflexes slow down and our eye sight gets weaker. Afridi is facing the same predicament. Keep in mind that he has admitted to understating his age. So he is much older than the "official" age quoted. My god, he has been around playing cricket for last 14-15 years. As he cannot, as none of us can, get any younger, it would be best for him to retire from international cricket. Let us all remember him as "Boom Boom" and not "Bust Bust".
Not a short break but a total break or step down.
let someone else serve the nation and make his name. he can be an umpire, an anchor, tv host, may be young cricket team or women cricket team coach but no way a national team member again.
DONT TAKE IT TO HEART, ITS REALITY.
This shows people who have some sort of influence on Pakistani cricket have no brains.why not give chance to new players instead of trying these useless cricketers again and again.what can coach can do if selectors chose a bunch of brainless cricketers.
In my opinion Hafeez should go for longggg Leaves because we reached in Semi's luck by chance not by performance or Captaincy
Afridi seems to be a spent force, he can not mussle the ball as used to be in the past and thats why always get caught while trying to put the ball across the fence. He is not mentally focussed as more than a player he is now a show biz personality
Razak is a spent force, dont waste time , try and groom fresh blood.Afridi surely won us world 20 cup in 2009 but I bet I can play better them him now, so think hard Afridi.
Moin khan was doing fine untill he started to discuss Hafeez. Hafeez does not deserve to be in the team as a batsman especially the opening bstsman let alone the captaincy. He is in the team primarily as a batsman who can bowl. More often than not he fails with the bat and it's time to give someone else the opportunity. Likes of Ahmed Shehzad, Shahzeb Hassan, Fawad Alamm should be given the chance and Umar Akmsl needs a fixed batting number preferably 3 or 4. We shoud prepare for more dissastsrs and controversies if Hafeez continued with the captaincy.
Go on longgggg LEAVE its best for u nd PAK cricket.