Shahid Afridi, Misbah- ul- Haq,waqar

Karachi, May 27(ANI): A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has said Shahid Afridi's chances of regaining the captaincy of the one day international and T-20 squads are over, but he will get an opportunity to prolong his career as a cricketer.

According to sources, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has decided to revoke the policy of having separate captains for different formats, which means Misbah-ul-Haq would take over as skipper in all three formats of the game, The Nation reports.

He said the reason for the change in policy was to promote team unity.

"The board got concerned with reports filtering in during the World Cup that Afridi had started to take his captaincy for granted. Some players have also complained about adjustments they need to do with two captains instead of one", he said.

He said Misbah- ul- Haq has been selected as a captain as he has performed consistently in all versions of the game.

The source dispelled speculations about the PCB not willing to give opportunity to Afridi as a player. (ANI)

Read more »

Misbah- ul- Haq has been selected as a captain

Karachi, May 27(ANI): A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has said Shahid Afridi's chances of regaining the captaincy of the one day international and T-20 squads are over, but he will get an opportunity to prolong his career as a cricketer.

According to sources, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has decided to revoke the policy of having separate captains for different formats, which means Misbah-ul-Haq would take over as skipper in all three formats of the game, The Nation reports.

He said the reason for the change in policy was to promote team unity.

"The board got concerned with reports filtering in during the World Cup that Afridi had started to take his captaincy for granted. Some players have also complained about adjustments they need to do with two captains instead of one", he said.

He said Misbah- ul- Haq has been selected as a captain as he has performed consistently in all versions of the game.

The source dispelled speculations about the PCB not willing to give opportunity to Afridi as a player. (ANI)

Read more »

PCB not willing to give opportunity to Afridi as a player

Karachi, May 27(ANI): A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has said Shahid Afridi's chances of regaining the captaincy of the one day international and T-20 squads are over, but he will get an opportunity to prolong his career as a cricketer.

According to sources, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has decided to revoke the policy of having separate captains for different formats, which means Misbah-ul-Haq would take over as skipper in all three formats of the game, The Nation reports.

He said the reason for the change in policy was to promote team unity.

"The board got concerned with reports filtering in during the World Cup that Afridi had started to take his captaincy for granted. Some players have also complained about adjustments they need to do with two captains instead of one", he said.

He said Misbah- ul- Haq has been selected as a captain as he has performed consistently in all versions of the game.

The source dispelled speculations about the PCB not willing to give opportunity to Afridi as a player. (ANI)

Read more »

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Karachi, May 27(ANI): A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has said Shahid Afridi's chances of regaining the captaincy of the one day international and T-20 squads are over, but he will get an opportunity to prolong his career as a cricketer.

According to sources, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has decided to revoke the policy of having separate captains for different formats, which means Misbah-ul-Haq would take over as skipper in all three formats of the game, The Nation reports.

He said the reason for the change in policy was to promote team unity.

"The board got concerned with reports filtering in during the World Cup that Afridi had started to take his captaincy for granted. Some players have also complained about adjustments they need to do with two captains instead of one", he said.

He said Misbah- ul- Haq has been selected as a captain as he has performed consistently in all versions of the game.

The source dispelled speculations about the PCB not willing to give opportunity to Afridi as a player. (ANI)

Read more »

No captaincy for Afridi: PCB official

Karachi, May 27(ANI): A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has said Shahid Afridi's chances of regaining the captaincy of the one day international and T-20 squads are over, but he will get an opportunity to prolong his career as a cricketer.

According to sources, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has decided to revoke the policy of having separate captains for different formats, which means Misbah-ul-Haq would take over as skipper in all three formats of the game, The Nation reports.

He said the reason for the change in policy was to promote team unity.

"The board got concerned with reports filtering in during the World Cup that Afridi had started to take his captaincy for granted. Some players have also complained about adjustments they need to do with two captains instead of one", he said.

He said Misbah- ul- Haq has been selected as a captain as he has performed consistently in all versions of the game.

The source dispelled speculations about the PCB not willing to give opportunity to Afridi as a player. (ANI)

Read more »

Shahid Afridi retirement

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.

"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi said by telephone from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."

Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.

He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.

Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.

"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.

When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.

Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.

Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.

"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."

Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership.

"This current board treats players roughly and I will not play under this set-up. But if this set-up is changed only then will I consider coming back because I have always played for my people and will play for them."

Afridi said he had battled against the game's match-fixing menace and had united a disjointed Pakistan team.

"When I retired from Test cricket and sensed spot-fixing in the team, I fought against it and after the fixing episode united the team which was broken and divided," said Afridi, referring to last year's fixing scandal in England.

That controversy, related to last year's Lord's Test against England, ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Afridi, who still holds the record for the fastest one-day hundred, scored off 37-balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997, was the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 in the 2011 World Cup with India's Zaheer Khan.

The burly all-rounder scored 6,695 in 325 one-dayers and took 315 wickets as a leg-spinner. He also has a tally of 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in 27 Tests.

Afridi finished as player of the tournament in the first two editions of the World Twenty20, in 2007 and 2009, helping Pakistan to the title in the latter tournament in England.

"I served the country to the best of my ability but did not deserve this treatment. I wanted to leave cricket on a happy note, but that did not come about," he said.

Read more »

I am dejected and hurt

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.

"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi said by telephone from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."

Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.

He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.

Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.

"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.

When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.

Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.

Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.

"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."

Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership.

"This current board treats players roughly and I will not play under this set-up. But if this set-up is changed only then will I consider coming back because I have always played for my people and will play for them."

Afridi said he had battled against the game's match-fixing menace and had united a disjointed Pakistan team.

"When I retired from Test cricket and sensed spot-fixing in the team, I fought against it and after the fixing episode united the team which was broken and divided," said Afridi, referring to last year's fixing scandal in England.

That controversy, related to last year's Lord's Test against England, ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Afridi, who still holds the record for the fastest one-day hundred, scored off 37-balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997, was the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 in the 2011 World Cup with India's Zaheer Khan.

The burly all-rounder scored 6,695 in 325 one-dayers and took 315 wickets as a leg-spinner. He also has a tally of 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in 27 Tests.

Afridi finished as player of the tournament in the first two editions of the World Twenty20, in 2007 and 2009, helping Pakistan to the title in the latter tournament in England.

"I served the country to the best of my ability but did not deserve this treatment. I wanted to leave cricket on a happy note, but that did not come about," he said.

Read more »

Afridi hurt

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.

"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi said by telephone from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."

Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.

He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.

Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.

"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.

When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.

Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.

Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.

"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."

Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership.

"This current board treats players roughly and I will not play under this set-up. But if this set-up is changed only then will I consider coming back because I have always played for my people and will play for them."

Afridi said he had battled against the game's match-fixing menace and had united a disjointed Pakistan team.

"When I retired from Test cricket and sensed spot-fixing in the team, I fought against it and after the fixing episode united the team which was broken and divided," said Afridi, referring to last year's fixing scandal in England.

That controversy, related to last year's Lord's Test against England, ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Afridi, who still holds the record for the fastest one-day hundred, scored off 37-balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997, was the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 in the 2011 World Cup with India's Zaheer Khan.

The burly all-rounder scored 6,695 in 325 one-dayers and took 315 wickets as a leg-spinner. He also has a tally of 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in 27 Tests.

Afridi finished as player of the tournament in the first two editions of the World Twenty20, in 2007 and 2009, helping Pakistan to the title in the latter tournament in England.

"I served the country to the best of my ability but did not deserve this treatment. I wanted to leave cricket on a happy note, but that did not come about," he said.

Read more »

I play for my country and for my people

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.

"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi said by telephone from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."

Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.

He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.

Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.

"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.

When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.

Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.

Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.

"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."

Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership.

"This current board treats players roughly and I will not play under this set-up. But if this set-up is changed only then will I consider coming back because I have always played for my people and will play for them."

Afridi said he had battled against the game's match-fixing menace and had united a disjointed Pakistan team.

"When I retired from Test cricket and sensed spot-fixing in the team, I fought against it and after the fixing episode united the team which was broken and divided," said Afridi, referring to last year's fixing scandal in England.

That controversy, related to last year's Lord's Test against England, ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Afridi, who still holds the record for the fastest one-day hundred, scored off 37-balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997, was the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 in the 2011 World Cup with India's Zaheer Khan.

The burly all-rounder scored 6,695 in 325 one-dayers and took 315 wickets as a leg-spinner. He also has a tally of 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in 27 Tests.

Afridi finished as player of the tournament in the first two editions of the World Twenty20, in 2007 and 2009, helping Pakistan to the title in the latter tournament in England.

"I served the country to the best of my ability but did not deserve this treatment. I wanted to leave cricket on a happy note, but that did not come about," he said.

Read more »

Boom boom Afridi says goodbye

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.

"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi said by telephone from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."

Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.

He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.

Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.

"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.

When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.

Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.

Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.

"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."

Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership.

"This current board treats players roughly and I will not play under this set-up. But if this set-up is changed only then will I consider coming back because I have always played for my people and will play for them."

Afridi said he had battled against the game's match-fixing menace and had united a disjointed Pakistan team.

"When I retired from Test cricket and sensed spot-fixing in the team, I fought against it and after the fixing episode united the team which was broken and divided," said Afridi, referring to last year's fixing scandal in England.

That controversy, related to last year's Lord's Test against England, ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Afridi, who still holds the record for the fastest one-day hundred, scored off 37-balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997, was the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 in the 2011 World Cup with India's Zaheer Khan.

The burly all-rounder scored 6,695 in 325 one-dayers and took 315 wickets as a leg-spinner. He also has a tally of 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in 27 Tests.

Afridi finished as player of the tournament in the first two editions of the World Twenty20, in 2007 and 2009, helping Pakistan to the title in the latter tournament in England.

"I served the country to the best of my ability but did not deserve this treatment. I wanted to leave cricket on a happy note, but that did not come about," he said.

Read more »

I am retiring from international cricket: Afridi

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.

"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi said by telephone from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."

Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.

He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.

Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.

"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.

When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.

Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.

Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.

"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."

Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership.

"This current board treats players roughly and I will not play under this set-up. But if this set-up is changed only then will I consider coming back because I have always played for my people and will play for them."

Afridi said he had battled against the game's match-fixing menace and had united a disjointed Pakistan team.

"When I retired from Test cricket and sensed spot-fixing in the team, I fought against it and after the fixing episode united the team which was broken and divided," said Afridi, referring to last year's fixing scandal in England.

That controversy, related to last year's Lord's Test against England, ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Afridi, who still holds the record for the fastest one-day hundred, scored off 37-balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997, was the joint leading wicket-taker with 21 in the 2011 World Cup with India's Zaheer Khan.

The burly all-rounder scored 6,695 in 325 one-dayers and took 315 wickets as a leg-spinner. He also has a tally of 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in 27 Tests.

Afridi finished as player of the tournament in the first two editions of the World Twenty20, in 2007 and 2009, helping Pakistan to the title in the latter tournament in England.

"I served the country to the best of my ability but did not deserve this treatment. I wanted to leave cricket on a happy note, but that did not come about," he said.

Read more »