Shoaib Malik’s unimpressive show has forced the committee to start discussing the possible inclusion of Afridi for the West Indies tour, according to a PCB selector. PHOTO: AFP
A selector said the debate on recalling the star all-rounder, dropped for the Champions Trophy, has started within the selection committee. Though no formal talks on team selection for the upcoming assignment has taken place yet – due to the vacant Pakistan Cricket Board chairman seat – the selector said the discussion revolved around the possible return of the 33-year-old.
The Champions Trophy snub was the second for Afridi within six months, owing to his indecent form. After being dropped for the One-Day International (ODI) series in India, the former captain was preferred for the South Africa tour due to his abilities as an effective spin-bowler. However, his performance in five ODIs where he managed 126 runs and delivered 37 wicket-less overs failed to convince the selection committee to include him in the Champions Trophy squad.
However, Pakistan’s poor show at the Champions Trophy, where most of the senior players failed with the bat, has forced the selection committee to re-think.
“We have been now forced to consider him again,” a selector told The Express Tribune. “Shoaib [Malik] was preferred for his valuable knocks in South Africa but he failed miserably in the Champions Trophy. It’s just a discussion among the selectors that Afridi is experienced and can excel anytime as there is a feeling that he may regain rhythm after a break.
“Similarly, Younus [Khan] and players like Ahmed Shahzad and Hammad Azam are also under consideration.
“But no formal talks have been made on selection with the team management yet. We have sought a meeting schedule from a senior PCB official. The selection committee also wants to speak to the chairman. There is uncertainty but we are doing our homework since not a lot of time is left. ”
‘Whatmore discussed team failure with selectors’
Another PCB official said the selection committee members Salim Jaffer and Azhar Khan had an ‘informal’ discussion with head coach Dav Whatmore in Lahore.
The selectors are currently in Lahore in finalise the Pakistan U19 squad for the UK tour where they met Whatmore.
“The discussion was mainly about the team’s failure in which the head coach assessed players’ performance and their mistakes,” said the PCB official. “The selection for the West Indies tour was not discussed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2013.
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