Flamboyant allrounder and former captain, Shahid Afridi believes that Pakistan cricket think-tank has erred by having too many expectations from out of favor batsmen, Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal. "I don't know but it was wrong to expect them to be like Virat Kohli or Ab de Villiers and perform like them," Afridi said on Geo News channel on Monday. Shehzad and Umar considered to be two of the country's best young batting talent have been axed for the tour to England on disciplinary grounds and were not called for the training and skills camps set up by the cricket board. PCB Chairman, Shaharyar Khan made it clear that it was the decision of the new selection committee to sideline the two youngsters. Afridi said there was no doubt that Shehzad and Umar needed to work hard on their cricket and approach. "I also agree there should be no compromise on discipline. But I think it is best if we stop expecting too much from them and just let them be and let them play the way they do. With more experience I am sure they will be much better," he added.
An unbeaten 136 from Mohammad Hafeez laid the platform for Pakistan as they beat Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second one-day international in Harare on Thursday.
Afridi will captain a 14-man squad for the December 13-21 tournament also involving India and Sri Lanka.\n\n
Pakistan have selected two uncapped teenagers in a 15-man squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting on October 20.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Sunday said that former greats like Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram will be holding online sessions with current and emerging cricketers in Pakistan to help them remain focused in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown. These sessions have been arranged by the Pakistan national men's cricket team management in collaboration with the International Cricket Operations Department as they are looking at innovative ideas to ensure its elite players and future prospects remain connected with the game.
Pakistan have not settled on their best line-up for their World Cup opener against champions India this weekend, coach Waqar Younis said.
Pakistan won the second One-Day International and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India's stand-in captain said if not for the start given by the dashing Pakistan opener, the fifth ODI would have been closer.
The batting ace overtook Sunil Gavaskar as India's highest run-scorer by getting to 10,123 runs in his 123rd Test.
Skipper Inzamam-ul Haq said Shahid Afridi and Yasir Hameed would contest for a spot in the top order.
Rana-Naveed-ul Hasan was also left out as the selectors opted to go in for specialist bowlers in Kaneria and Umar Gul and middle-order batsmen Misbah-ul Haq and Asim Kamal.
India has retained the same side that levelled the series 2-2. Pakistan has replace Afridi with Taufeeq Umar.
India have replaced left-arm spinner Murali Kartik with Romesh Powar for the second ODI in Rawalpindi.
The selectors also named two newcomers in Rana Namid-ul Hasan and Ifthkar Rao, a tearaway young speedster.
Michael Clarke finished on 103 not out to guide Australia to a nine-wicket victory over Pakistan.
Shahid Afridi said that his team's all-round poor performance saw them exit early from the tournament.
The all-rounder also feels that the Indian team also has the advantage of playing at home ground and with crowd support.
Pakistan Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi does not seem to be in favour of tainted cricketer Salman Butt making a comeback to the national team. A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told PTI that Butt, who completed a five-year ban for spot-fixing last September, was in contention for an immediate comeback to international cricket but Afridi showed his reluctance. "Butt met with chief selector Haroon Rasheed last night in Lahore. The situation is that members of the Pakistan team have also indicated they have no problems with Butt joining the team but Afridi is not in favour of his inclusion," the source said. The source also said that the selectors were considering opener Butt for the World T20 after the team's dismal batting performance in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh. "The selectors are desperate to find a solution to the opening problem in the Pakistan team and will also certainly recall experienced opener Ahmed Shehzad. Salman Butt is also under consideration," the source said.
The Asia Cup to be played in Bangladesh from February 24, will be played in the T20 format for the first time in the tournament's history. The tournament which precedes the vital World T20 to be held in in India in March, has a rich history with India and Sri Lanka winning it five times each. Pakistan have been victorious on two occasions while Bangladesh's best finish has been their runner-up performance in the 2012 edition. Team India will be led by MS Dhoni and the tournament will also see Virat Kohli returning after taking a break from the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Dhoni will be chasing history to become the most successful skipper in the tournament history. The Indian skipper and former Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga have both recorded same number of nine victories and four defeats in the Asia Cup All the matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur. The qualifying rounds involving Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Oman has begun from Friday.
Tainted fast bowler Mohammad Amir was named in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the Twenty20 World Cup even as seasoned opener Ahmed Shehzad and veteran bowler Umar Gul were shown the door.
Former India cricketers Robin Singh and Sriram Sridharan will be coaching Bloem City Blazers and Johannesburg Giants respectively in the upcoming T20 Global League to be held in South Africa.
'Before leaving for UK, I made it clear to my friends that if you come here, you can but don't expect passes'
Mohammad Amir confessed to spot-fixing only after then ODI skipper Shahid Afridi slapped the fast bowler, while Salman Butt was involved in corruption much before Pakistan's ill-fated tour of England in 2010, claimed former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.
Leading past and present cricketers from India and Pakistan are expected to play in the May 6 day-night match.
The Indian batsman will replace injured New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle.
Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi earned Pakistan a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 international at Dubai stadium on Wednesday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances