Afridi, who was excluded from the ODI squad against India last month, would be hoping to regain his place in the Pakistan team. PHOTO: AFP
According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selector, Afridi – who was a part of Pakistan’s Twenty20 squad against India last month – was included in the Pakistan A team, which is scheduled to play eight one-day and four Twenty20 matches next month.
While the tourists are preparing for their international assignments including the World Cup qualifiers, the PCB selectors felt the upcoming matches could be utilised by giving a chance to its national cricketers who have been out of high-profile action for a while.
“The purpose of including Afridi in the team is to provide him match practice,” the selector told The Express Tribune, confirming Afridi’s berth in the Pakistan A squad. “We have also included other national cricketers like Wahab Riaz in the squad.”
Performance not to reflect in international selection
However, the selector made it clear that the performance of players in the upcoming matches against Afghanistan would not necessarily lead to their selection for the forthcoming One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 series against South Africa.
“Afridi wanted to be a part of the Pakistan A squad to remain in practice so we provided him with the chance. But as far as his selection in limited-overs series is concerned, it will be premature to say anything about it. His and other players’ performance in the practice matches will not be the criteria for getting selected for international fixtures.”
The all-rounder was dropped from the ODI squad for the short tour of India due to poor form throughout last season.
The former captain has scored only 182 runs in his last 16 ODIs at an average of 15.16 and took 15 wickets at 43.13 — subsequently failing to find a place in the 15-man squad for the 50-over format.
However, the selector said the all-rounder’s ODI career is not over and he can still make a comeback in the format.
“Afridi has served the country a lot and his vast experience is valuable for the team. We hope he regains his form soon.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2013.
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We beat India in a bilateral series without Afridi. Younger guys like Junaid, Irfan and Nasir Jamshed need to be given the exposure they need - and we need sensible, head-on-the-shoulders leadership like Misbah (who gets way too much unnecessary flack for not being "flashy" enough). Unfortunately our public would rather have more volatile "4,6 or nothing" players like Afridi.
It's fair, this is how it should be... the place is vacant now for young players... and Afridi has to sit out until he proves his worth. I remember once even Inzi had to sit out and rpove his form. If a plyer is going through a bad patch he should face it in the domestic circuit not internationally. Having said that I must say that I hope Afridi bounces back strongly and snatches his place back into the side.
Maybe it's last chance fro Afridi to come back.
Afridi's career is NOT over INSHALLAH , we are with you lala, no one can play like you!! please regain your form, will luv to see you play again!!!
When a young player should be getting his chance, Afridi who is clearly well past his sell-by date is wasting a spot.
Afridi international cricket is over....the ball biter, pitch distorter,crowd attacker should stick to t20 leagues only now
Minnow Basher, play 4 day cricket. yesterday Rashid Latif said "Even I can score Fifty against Afghanistan"