Ex-players call for Afridi’s head after Pak’s cup ouster
6 Oct 2012 3:12 AM GMT
Shahid Afridi has come under severe criticism following his dismal performance in ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka with some former players calling on the veteran all-rounder to retire from international cricket with immediate effect.
Once the darling of crowds and one of the most commercially viable figures in Pakistan, Afridi has turned from into a villain from hero following his disappointing show in the World Twenty20 where he managed just 30 runs with the bat and scalped four wickets.
‘I think when Pakistan lost in the 2011 World Cup semifinals, Afridi should have taken a decision on his retirement then. It appears as if we keep on selecting him hoping he will perform like he did some years ago but it is not happening. Afridi and some other players need to take a decision on their retirement,’ former pacer Aaqib Javed said..
Former batsman Basit Ali also called on Afridi to quit international cricket and said he instead should focus on playing in foreign leagues. Afridi, easily one of the most popular cricketer in Pakistan, broke his bat and helmet in anger inside the dressing room after registering a golden duck in the semifinal against Sri Lanka.
Former pacer Sarfraz Nawaz also trained his gun at Afridi and insisted that the all-rounder was way past his prime and should retire. ‘He is occupying a key position in the team and it is time the selectors now start looking for his replacement,’ Nawaz said.
Former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, however, offered some insight into why Afridi had struggled of late. ‘Afridi is a very senior player and very committed but he had a back problem before this tournament. He was carrying it and it affected his performance,’ Mushtaq said.
Once the darling of crowds and one of the most commercially viable figures in Pakistan, Afridi has turned from into a villain from hero following his disappointing show in the World Twenty20 where he managed just 30 runs with the bat and scalped four wickets.
‘I think when Pakistan lost in the 2011 World Cup semifinals, Afridi should have taken a decision on his retirement then. It appears as if we keep on selecting him hoping he will perform like he did some years ago but it is not happening. Afridi and some other players need to take a decision on their retirement,’ former pacer Aaqib Javed said..
Former batsman Basit Ali also called on Afridi to quit international cricket and said he instead should focus on playing in foreign leagues. Afridi, easily one of the most popular cricketer in Pakistan, broke his bat and helmet in anger inside the dressing room after registering a golden duck in the semifinal against Sri Lanka.
Former pacer Sarfraz Nawaz also trained his gun at Afridi and insisted that the all-rounder was way past his prime and should retire. ‘He is occupying a key position in the team and it is time the selectors now start looking for his replacement,’ Nawaz said.
Former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, however, offered some insight into why Afridi had struggled of late. ‘Afridi is a very senior player and very committed but he had a back problem before this tournament. He was carrying it and it affected his performance,’ Mushtaq said.
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