It is up to Shaharyar to decide Afridi’s fate: Ijaz Butt
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LAHORE: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt refrained from commenting on the fate of Pakistan’s T20 captain Shahid Afridi on Monday, saying it was the domain of incumbent chief Shaharyar Khan.
Afridi’s men had already lost the T20 series against England before Monday’s third match, raising question marks over the team’s make up ahead of next year’s ICC World Twenty20.
Talking to media after a meeting with Shaharyar at the Gaddafi Stadium, Ijaz didn’t comment on whether Afridi’s fate as captain was hanging in the balance although reminded that he had once — on the instruction of a PCB chief — dealt with a cricketer.
“I won’t name that cricketer, but on the instruction of [then-PCB chairman] Nur Khan I flew to New Zealand and handed that player his air ticket to go back home,” he recalled.
“As far as the current situation is concerned, it’s up to the PCB chairman to take a decision.”
Ijaz, meanwhile, said he was of the view that series against India be deferred for the future with very little time left to finalise it.
The PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to come to a final decision regarding holding series at a neutral venue and Ijaz said “it would be appropriate to defer it for the future”.
“The Pakistan government has already given PCB the green signal for the series but they should wait for a reply of the BCCI before deciding on [the Dec 17-Jan 4] series in Sri Lanka,” he added.
The BCCI is still awaiting clearance from the Indian government to go ahead with the series.
To a question about a recent statement by BCCI president Shashnak Manohar, who is also the ICC chairman, slamming Big Three’s hold on the cricket governing body, Ijaz said he felt there “is very little room for change now”.
“But despite Zaheer Abbas being powerless in his role as ICC president, he should try to get benefits for the PCB through back-door diplomacy,” Ijaz added.
Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2015
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Comments (52) Closed
Dec 01, 2015 01:02pm
It's the playing order that's the problem - Afridi should be coming in at 3 or 4 as a pinch hitter - that's the only way he can make an impact . Coming in down the order it's already to late
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Dec 01, 2015 01:37pm
I think Afridi should come opening with Ahmed Shehzad!
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Dec 01, 2015 01:42pm
Pakistan's probems in shorter formats
ODI - lack of strike rotation - middle overs should at least take 6 singles. Reduce dot ball percentage.
T20i - lack of strike rotation - Reduce dot ball percentage- lack of innovation with shots as compared to other teams. Pak dunno how to play fancy shots like dilscoop and the kevin peitersen reverse sweep for 6.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:05pm
There need to be a revamp of the selection committee. Afridi's position as a Captain and even as a player has question marks, barring 2nd and 3rd T20 his performance is below par and also his decision in the last T20 of not bowling Shoaib Malik when the pacers were being hit out of the grounds. The inclusion of Rafatullah is a big question mark who scored 39 in 3 innings matching his age and Umar Akmal played as a fielder. CRIC info commentators were also puzzled in regard to Shoaib Malik not completing 4 overs.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:13pm
Minor surgeries will not help improving our standards. We are fast deteriorating in ODI & T-20. In the recent series we have displayed very ordinary show in all departments of the game.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:14pm
Bring Abdul Razzaq back in the team far better then current All rounder likes of Anwar ali and others
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Dec 01, 2015 02:15pm
Let Afridi continue for another 5 years. We still have plenty of time. When Afridi came into international cricket (1996 precisely), there were numerous discussions on his batting temperament. We gave him 20 years to adjust but things are almost same till date. So let him play for 5 or more years to prove his captaincy as well.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:16pm
Why these great players don't put a FULL stop in their careers ;( , he was great but he should step down and let the young players lead Pakistan-T20 XI.
Other teams are getting better and ours is going backward.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:37pm
@Mr Pakistan. Did you notice he and Umar Akmal managed 3 runs in Super Over and you want to send him ahead of Sohaib Malik.It is living in fool paradise.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:38pm
@John Ahmed Shehzad should be playing Test only,other wise with current ODI and T20 team we will be playing with minnows in future qualifying for major tournament.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:40pm
@Abdul Hameed You were expecting Pakistan to win without Imaad Wasim and Amir.It could be distant dream.Don't forget in previous series ODI and T20 win was due to Immad Wasim ,otherwise team would have lost there too.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:41pm
@irfan : why dont u play instead of afridi..
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Dec 01, 2015 02:48pm
I don't think Afridi is bad as a T20 player. Even I saw in recent matches he contributed either as bowler or batsman in all 3 matches. I am not sure about his captaincy but as a player still he is capable in T20.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:53pm
Afridi is the only player from Pakistan who will walk into any world eleven just because of his bowling. We do not have the bowling power at the moment to restrict other teams. In the absence of Saeed Ajmal, Hafeez and Junaid Khan, bowling options are limited. Sohail Tanveer and Mohammad Irfan should not be in the team as both are not good enough and lousy fielders as well.
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Dec 01, 2015 02:59pm
"Let Afridi play for another 5 years"
He should not even be in the team, firstly for his ability
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Dec 01, 2015 03:00pm
Batting order and consistent performance is required from these players.
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Dec 01, 2015 03:17pm
Even they don't know how to run between wickets not to forget below average fielding.
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Dec 01, 2015 03:22pm
Afridi has already lived his expiry date - performance in 02 T20s after a whole year of below par performance does not even warrant a place in the team let alone his captaincy. We should look for another captain such as Shoaib Malik or Wahab Riaz. A decent all-rounder such as Hammad is also needed.
Moreover the ODI team also need urgent revamp as there seems to be a lack of aggressive all rounders in the team. We need young batsmen in both ODIs as well as T20s and need to discard player such as Hafeez, Ahmed S, Sohail Tanveer, Anwar Ali and Akmal.
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Dec 01, 2015 03:23pm
@Jamil khan why is it that no one criticise afridi . W
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Dec 01, 2015 03:30pm
So much for tailor made T20 team.
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Dec 01, 2015 03:30pm
Guys lets just be honest. i am not a huge fan of afridi but what he is doing is making experiments before the world cup not shy of losing. yes we lost in the end but i think t20 and test sides have done well. ODIs side, i have no idea where its going but we need to support the new captain. we cant just keep changing our captains like openers.
wot we need to work on is chasing a very good total or even a good total.
had afridi won all tosses we would have ended up winning.
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Dec 01, 2015 04:14pm
t20 doesnt mean hit 6 every ball..make 1s or 2s then maybe one 4 or 6 is enough..pak players want 6 for every ball..thats not gonna mke it
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Dec 01, 2015 04:15pm
Time to say goodbye to Shahzad, Umar Akmal and Afridi Bhai.
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Dec 01, 2015 04:27pm
still unable to understand the reason of dropping Sarfraz. Rizwan can always play as batsman they are lot of others who can be dropped. no need to take names.
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Dec 01, 2015 05:03pm
Coach's mindset is one of the problem as he never owns but passes on blames to one or the other. If he cannot even identify the problem how can he fix it.
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Dec 01, 2015 05:05pm
This guy has already cost around 400 matches and is still admired by his fans .. let him fulfill his dream of giving Pakistan a humiliating exit from T20 WC so he can achieve all he ever cared for.
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Dec 01, 2015 05:38pm
Lala played his part, took wkts in crucial time and played sparkle innings when needed. He is true captain with hard luck.. hope he push the button of success and bring his team in front by his own durable wings.
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Dec 01, 2015 06:00pm
Afridi support for certain players is a huge problem. He should quit
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Dec 01, 2015 06:25pm
the way he gets out, PCB must out him now for once and all. he is neither competitive nor good at anything......... for last 20 years he is in and out for various reasons. a disgrace to see him anymore in team....
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Dec 01, 2015 07:06pm
What is the hold up to bring back Amir. Almost all bowlers failed to perform well in the T20 series against England.
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Dec 01, 2015 07:11pm
Afridi must retire now. He has already played more cricket than he deserves. I know most of the folks won't agree but it's true that Afrdi is very weak when it comes to judges him on techniques - he freezes, last episode was in the super over yesterday. Pakistanneeds to give chance to Young and new players who are strong in their techniques. We do not want gladiators anymore.
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Dec 01, 2015 07:21pm
Such an absurd statement at a time when Afridi, along with Shuaib Malik, is the only player who is performing. Only he has the courage and the muscle to hit the ball out of the park in pressure situation. Others simply dont have the force, what to say of the courage.
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Dec 01, 2015 07:23pm
Afridi is the best in the team. Why are they talking of his removal. Are they really honest to Pak cricket?
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Dec 01, 2015 07:58pm
@irfan you do realize afridi has already announced his t20 retirement and the WC will be his last t20 adventure
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Dec 01, 2015 09:13pm
People you are forgetting, we are rebuilding. There is no Ajmal, no Hafeez as a bowler. Umar Gul and Junaid are gone and Umar Akmal, ok he is still exceeding expectations but seriously people consider you have 8 overs missing from two guys who were pretty good in the middle overs. Let us keep hoping, I know I am. I am only 42 and hoping to make my Debut for Pakistan right after the world cup :)... Off course I am a fast bowler so I feel there are still a few years left in me, wouldn't you agree?
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Dec 01, 2015 09:22pm
I do not what is LALA'S problem he still have great arms and I have seen many many times they had to find the ball from outside the ground.
If he need to move up in line up to bat so do it at least you can say I tried.
Many of greats know he is a flash can in a flash shock everybody do not have same correct method of batting but can surprise you in a flash to shutt eveyone.
But again its upto the coach to really have his attention listen and communicate with respect not look down to demand the results and coach has to do the same all the team.
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Dec 01, 2015 09:53pm
the problem is with coach....he has no strategy to cope with modern cricket,.....rather lacks the common sense....what is the fun of playing on spinning track with four pacers and then hats off to captain and coach....they did not bowl shoib malik for his complete 4 overs....and now he is passing the bug to players...I agree some donot deserve toi be in the team like hafeez, shoib maqsood, rafat ullah mohmand...get rid of coach for atleast ODIs and T-20, make hamad Waseem captain along with bringing Muhammad aamir back....team will win
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Dec 01, 2015 09:54pm
The major reason Pakistan is losing matches is because the selection committee is totally corrupt. They select 95% of the players from Punjab. and hardly give a chance to Players from Karachi. If this policy does not change then Pakistan will be compared with Afghanistan. Garbage in .....garbage out
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Dec 01, 2015 09:57pm
Afridi rarely takes team to victory. He is just a good entertainer, hits some trackless shots and crowd enjoys with high hope. However he gets out when needed to stay for win.
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Dec 01, 2015 10:13pm
Afridi`s form has always been up and down(mostly down)He is a fluke player having a go at every delivery some cross the line but most end up in the hands of the fielder, he tries to please the crowd and loves the clapping rather then play as per the situation.He is also bowling too short and is being punished by the batsman, a replacement is need of the hour.
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Dec 01, 2015 10:26pm
In past 2-3 years, Pakistan has experimented with a lot of players in ODI and T20I. How can you develop a winning team if you keep changing your line up every game and if you keep changing the batting order every game?
Identify 15-20 players for ODI and T2oI who will be persisted with for next 2 years regardless of result and only then will you see the difference.
And yes, please improve domestic cricket and pitches.
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Dec 01, 2015 10:41pm
afridi leading t20 better than odi series.
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Dec 02, 2015 12:43am
Afridi should be out as a captain. Younger boys with more fitness is the requirement for t20. Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Hafeez and all others who didn't perform in One days / or T20s should be dropped and more fitted players should be inducted.
PCB needs to drastically change their domestic format in T20 and raise the bar on fitness and playing conditions higher then International Cricket so when our players play internationally it'll be like kids game.
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Dec 02, 2015 01:33am
Removing Afridi from captaincy wouldn't solve anything. The team becomes complacent after they win a tournament. After they beat England in the tests, a downward spiral followed (as expected). Collective mentality needs to change
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Dec 02, 2015 02:36am
This is rediculous.
Just look at the scoring card for all the 3 T20's.
Afridi is literally the ONLY one who performed. Everyone else, besides Shoaib Malik and Afridi needs to be kicked out.
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Dec 02, 2015 03:05am
@ali its fake
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Dec 02, 2015 04:05am
@irfan Good sarcasism.
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Dec 02, 2015 04:08am
@Indian I concur with you. He is a leading wicket taker and T20 format best suits his batting style. He is a gym.
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Dec 02, 2015 04:13am
@Syed Hasan Naqvi absolutely wrong. Umer Akmal and Afridi are the best hitter of the ball.
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Dec 02, 2015 04:19am
@Owais Yes, I am on the same page with you. As a coach he should assume the responsibility of the decline, and teach the boys good hitting techniques just liked England decided to give their team baseball training in hitting the ball.
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Dec 02, 2015 05:43am
so many ignorant cricket comments here, even if afridi score zero he is better than wahab, irfan, and rest of bowlers. he bowls economical overs which no legal spin bowler at the moment in the world bowls, or point me out.
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Dec 02, 2015 08:36am
Solution to all problems "remove W. Younas and appoint Younas K. as captain"
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