Afridi rings alarm bells for Hafeez ahead of World T20

Skipper in favour of experimentation, which may put all-rounder’s spot in jeopardy


Nabeel Hashmi August 05, 2015
Skipper Shahid Afridi believes that the team requires fresh faces at the number three and number six spot for the World T20, thereby putting Hafeez’s spot in the squad on the line. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI:


Even though Pakistan swept the T20 series against Sri Lanka in emphatic fashion, skipper Shahid Afridi believes there still remain some areas of concern in the squad which need to be addressed and is therefore all up for experimentation before finalising the players for the World T20 next year.


One area that the 35-year-old feels needs the most attention is the number three spot in the batting line-up, which is usually occupied by Mohammad Hafeez in both the T20s and the one-dayers. But given the fact that the all-rounder received a bowling ban due to a suspect action, there is a feeling that the 34-year-old would be dropped to make way for another player in the squad.



“If you ask what my plan is for the World Twenty20, then it is to experiment,” said Afridi while speaking to media on Wednesday. “Currently, we are looking for a strong opener and two batsmen at number three and six.”

The national selection committee has already drafted all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim to cover the gap and since both have done well in recent games, the alarm bells have started ringing for Hafeez with respect to his spot in the T20 line-up.

The skipper also asserted the need for a strong fast-bowler to lead the attack and thereby requested the fans to be patient as any player could be dropped.

“These are the areas we are looking to cover and experimentation is going on to see who fits in best. When you experiment, anyone can be dropped or rested.”

‘Sarfraz can play for me at any number’

Afridi received lot of flak for dropping vice-captain Sarfraz Ahmed in the T20 series against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won 2-0 to complete a series clean-sweep on the tour.

There were all sorts of rumours regarding the future of the wicketkeeper-batsman and many had suggested that he was being deliberately sidelined by the captain and coach Waqar Younis.

However, the skipper himself cleared the air on the issue and clarified that Sarfraz was rested because of a need to try different combinations.

“We want to try new players right now so that we are not caught napping when the World T20 arrives. That is the reason Sarfraz didn’t play against Sri Lanka in T20 series,” explained Afridi. “As a captain, I feel he is a very brave player and in him I have a choice when it comes to deciding who should feature as an opener, at number three or at six.”

Meanwhile, the skipper could not resist the temptation to clarify reports, which were published in a leading Urdu daily publication and quoted chief selector Haroon Rasheed, that the Pakistan Cricket Board is thinking about giving the captaincy to the Sarfraz.

“I have spoken to the chief selector on this issue and he clarified that media misquoted him. Haroon told me that Sarfraz would be made captain for the Pakistan A side, which I think is a good decision as we need to groom somebody for the post of the main team’s captain once it becomes vacant,” said Afridi. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th,  2015.

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COMMENTS (6)

shiraz | 8 years ago | Reply Only Indians want Afridi out of Pakistani Team as he has always been thrashing them. Funny thing is that those opposing Afridi in the comments are doing this in the guise of Pakistanis. How very funny.
k_roy | 8 years ago | Reply afridi perform once in a year in batting and in bowling zero output from last 3 years. so we need his replacment too.
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