PCB Plans to allow allrounder Shahid Afridi to play in one final T20 series/match for Pakistan before announcing his retirement from all international cricket have been dropped by the PCB.
A well-informed source in the cricket board told PTI that PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who is in London recuperating from a heart ailment and chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq had both given approval for Afridi to be picked in the T20 squad for the coming series against the West Indies.
"Yes it is correct that a decision was taken and approved by Shaharyar and Inzamam that Afridi would travel to UAE as the 16th player and appear in a final match against the West Indies before announcing his retirement and going out gracefully," the source said.
He said that Inzamam had spoken to Afridi and reached the understanding he would announce his retirement after playing against the West Indies.
But he confirmed that the plan was dropped after a senior member of the board, Najam Sethi, who heads the executive committee, objected to the method being followed to give Afridi a befitting farewell after a long career for Pakistan.
"Sethi made the point that the board would be setting a wrong example by including Afridi as 16th player just to give him a chance to play his farewell international match and it was also not befitting for such a senior player," the source said.
He said Sethi raised the question that if the selectors felt that Afridi was good enough to play for the country in T20 internationals why didn't they just select him in the 15-member squad announced for the West Indies series.
"Sethi's argument is logical and he made it clear that he would speak to Afridi himself and settle the matter. Sethi will now meet Afridi in last week of September and offer him the chance to accept a proper farewell event and announce his retirement," the source stated.
"Afridi might have played his final match for Pakistan if the plan given by Sethi is followed to the letter," he added.
The allrounder, who appeared in 398 ODIs and 98 T20 internationals and also captained Pakistan in all three formats, stepped down as skipper after a poor show in the World T20 in India last April.
Afridi had plans to retire at the end of the 2016 World T20
in India and Shaharyar had confirmed this earlier in the year saying, "He
is also a Pathan and I am also a Pathan and once the agreement is done between
two Pathans it can't be changed." However, before the tournament, Afridi
revealed that he was reconsidering his retirement due to "huge
pressure" from friends and family.
Following Pakistan's poor performance at the World T20, and
criticism surrounding his leadership, Afridi stepped down as captain but chose
to continue playing in the format. However, he has not played for Pakistan
since then, with the new selection committee not seeing him as a part of their
plans for the side.
Afridi had succeeded Mohammad Hafeez as Pakistan's T20 captain in September
2014. In his second stint as captain, Afridi led the side to 11 victories in 24
matches but his personal form dipped. He averaged 14.65 during this period with
a best of 49, and took 20 wickets. After the 2016 World T20, Afridi turned out for Hampshire in Natwest t20 Blast the scoring 191 runs at 17.36 in 12 matches and taking nine wickets. He also played only one match in the recent domestic National T20 tournament, before pulling out due to fitness concerns. He reportedly underwent an MRI scan on his knee and was later trained in Karachi as a part of injury rehabilitation. He was also optimistic that he would be selected for the series against West Indies, but he was ignored.
However, days after the team announcement, the Urdu newspaper Jang carried a report that claimed Afridi would be selected as the 16th player for the three-match series against West Indies in the UAE, as part of a planned farewell.
Afridi hinted at that possibility and his retirement during a media session in Karachi, but the statement was seen as ambiguous.
"I have put no pressure on the board nor they on me but whatever happens it will be good and set new precedents," Afridi said in a statement in Karachi. "I have always noted that in Pakistan there is no tradition of players retiring gracefully, even the big names. Every player wants to go out on a high and I am no different.
"Players must exit respectfully since the ones who serve the country with distinction deserve honour. I have had a discussion with Inzi bhai (Inzamam-ul-Haq) who is an elder to me and we will do what is beneficial to both Pakistan cricket and my own self. This would allow players to decide themselves when it is the right time for them to retire gracefully and with dignity."
Afridi's decisions to retire from other formats were also surrounded by uncertainty. His decision to retire from Test cricket, immediately after leading his side to a 150-run loss against Australia at Lord's in 2010, was seen as abrupt. His ODI retirement, too, was muddled for some time before he decided to quit the format after the 2015 World Cup.
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