“Not the right time for Afridi to retire”
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan believes that all-rounder Shahid Afridi still has potential to contribute to the Pakistan cricket team on the field despite a recent dip in his form.
Afridi’s abysmal performance at the World Twenty20 during which he scored just 30 runs in five innings and took only four wickets in six matches attracted much criticism from former players and fans, however, Moin thinks Afridi can still play an important role for Pakistan.
“Afridi can still serve the country,” the former wicketkeeper said. “He shouldn’t retire but should take some rest that will help him regain his form.
“I also advise the same to Imran Nazir who struggled in the tournament as well.”
Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez also came to Afridi’s defense after the World T20, saying the all-rounder was a match winner and an integral part of the team.
“He is always a hard-worker and I think he is trying to come out of it which is a positive sign for us as a team. So that’s the reason we have given him all the chancesm,” Hafeez said.
Moin also applauded Hafeez’s captaincy, adding that Abdul Razzaq’s outburst against the captain was natural.
The veteran all-rounder lashed out against Hafeez for dropping him for the semi-final of the World T20 against Sri Lanka. Razzaq said that he was very disappointed after being left out of the playing eleven in the crucial match on Thursday. He was replaced by left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir in the match that Pakistan lost by 16 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to enter the final of the ICC event.
“Razzaq’s comments were not appropriate,” said Moin. “But he should have played in the World Twenty20. Razzaq’s reaction was natural as he knows he does have some time left in his career. Hafeez showed good signs of captaincy. He should be given more time but he will need to learn from his mistakes.”
Moin criticised coach Dav Whatmore’s approach, pointing out that there had hardly been any improvements in the team since the former Australia player took over.
Please correct the spelling. “Afridi’s absymal performance……” It is abysmal not absymal. As for Afridi’s issue, yes lot of cricket is left in him. Let him play for some more years so that he can collect more ducks for Pakistan and bring out the ‘boom boom’ in him.
Thank You for pointing out the mistake Shajia.
Afridi should be forced to retire. Some one has to be totally out of his mind to have the mind.set he carrys. He has tried it a hundred times but failed 19 out of 20 times to hit a six as soon as he arrives, He never understood that now is the time for him to play some proper cricket rolling shots, at least until he has scored 25-30 runs. It is so strange that a mind can be so bloody fixed on doing what degrades him and pakistan too. He will never learn so let him retire.
I think Moin Khan needs to retire!! Afridi has retired that many times he can’t remember if he’s still retired when he’s playing! He’s just milking the cash cow for what he can get out of it.
Guys, I am not sure what are you reading between the lines. Selection needs to be done based on performance and unfortunately the domestic system is so damaged and lack of playing with international team at home is not helping finding the right talent. When was the last time Afridi performed as a batsman?
Shahid Afridi ODI batting average is 23 in 349 matches and T20 17 in 56 matches.
Razzaq ODI batting average is 30 in 265 and T20 23 in 30.
Imran Nazir ODI batting average is 25 in 79 matches and 22 in 25 matches in T20.
Shoib Malik ODI batting average is 33 in 203 matches and 23 in 50 matches in T20.
Do you still think they are the right talent to be playing for Pakistan. They all have been around for a long time and given many chances and it’s time PCB give chance to new talents and build the team for future. Hafiz’s performance is just OK as a batsman but he needs to learn from his mistakes as a captain.
In the Bowling end, Pakistan needs to give chances to young bowlers as bowlers in late 20′s and 30 ‘s are not the future of Pakistan as they are too old to learn now and change. Gul is at his end of career and rest of the bowlers are either old or just mediocre.
Mois, Rashid Latif and other old players only supporting the old talent as they were their when they played for the country. Instead Moin and team needs to find talent and present solution not criticize others….
Moin Khan, it seems you always like to remain in focus. Who cares what you think. Pakistan cricket is going down the drain, embarrassment has become a part of our team’s performance & you just care to extract few more drops of juice from the already well squeezed Ganna (sugar cane). There is no point to salvage few years of an individual’s career. A young talented player should replace Afridi. As goodwill to his contribution Afridi should be given a warm & wealthy send off by PCB
Whether he wants to retire or not is his decision. Based on his performance he should not be selected for the national team.