Afridi a liability for Pakistan, says Sarfraz Nawaz

Published October 6, 2015
Sarfraz says Afridi would not have been a part of the Pakistan team had he not been leading the T20 at next year's World T20. — AFP
Sarfraz says Afridi would not have been a part of the Pakistan team had he not been leading the T20 at next year's World T20. — AFP

Outspoken former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz says Shahid Afridi would not have been a part of the Pakistan T20 team had the all-rounder not been leading the side at the 2016 World T20.

The 66-year-old former fast bowler said keeping Afridi in the side was stunting the emergence of young stars and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should assess their decision before the big event next year.

“PCB should not go on ifs and buts hoping that Afridi would perform some day,” Sarfraz said while talking to APP.

T20 captain Afridi has managed to score 64 runs and take only two wickets at the cost of 129 runs in 19 overs in his last five T20 outings.

Even though Pakistan clinched the recent two-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, Afridi’s individual performances were below par.

Sarfraz was of the opinion that a player like Afridi, who performed “once in a blue moon” was a liability for the team.

The flamboyant all-rounder recently moved to Lahore to utilize the facilities at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) fully before the 2016 World T20 and has already said that form is not a worry for him. He has also been named in the Habib Bank (HBL) squad for the upcoming Quaid-e-Azam trophy tournament.

PCB chief Shaharyar Khan also has backed the 35-year-old fully and has assured him full support until the end of the World T20.

Earlier, Pakistan’s head-coach Waqar Younis said he was not worried over Afridi’s form and said that the 35-year-old would soon hit his straps.

Chief selector Haroon Rasheed also backed Afridi to come good at the World T20.

“I am sure he will do well in the T20 World Cup,” he said.

Sarfraz, meanwhile, also weighed in on the Bilal Asif development, putting the blame squarely on PCB.

The Pakistan off-spinner Bilal Asif was reported for a suspect action following the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Sarfraz questioned the quality of umpires in the domestic circuit.

“They should have seen and sorted his action before,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.