Shahid Afridi pondering his options

By Ahmad Jatt

KARACHI (TheSportsNext) September 5, 2012: Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi is dejected after severe criticism by cricket fans and former cricketers and is pondering his options and is likely to announce a very important announcement about his career after returing home, TheSportsNext.com has learnt.

As per the sources, Boom Boom Afridi is under stern stress following huge criticism by not only the fans but also from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) authorities and team management therefore he is making up his mind for something big.

Sources told this scribe on Wednesday, “Shahid Afridi talked to some of his close friends whom he usually introduces in media as his Buzurgs (elders). He asked for their advice about his international career and most probably he will announce a very important announcement in coming days".

They added, "Afridi also discussed the stress which he is facing nowadays by the team management and senior colleagues in the Pakistani team”.

It is important to mention here that Shahid Afridi has scored just 177 runs in his last 15 matches in four different series and tournament and got just 10 wickets in these matches which resulted in a huge wave of criticism.

"Yes! It is absolutely right that Shahid Afridi is under stress because of criticism. Management thought Afridi is not fit for batting slot and in the presence of Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal it’s quite difficult to fit him in spinner slot too", the sources said adding, “Some of the senior cricketers also joined former cricketers and advised him that he must take a break from the game".

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Injured Shahid Afridi out of first two T20s against Australia

By Osama Tariq

DUBAI (TheSportsNext) September 5, 2012: Former Pakistani captain Shahid Khan Afridi will not play the first two matches of the three-match Twenty20 International series against Australia after precariously injuring his thumb during nets.

 

Shahid Afridi was a doubt for Pakistan in the final One Day International but the all-rounder insisted in playing the match and in the end proved burden on the team as he managed only seven runs besides giving away 62 runs from his 10 overs.

He completely looked out of sorts during that final ODI where he kept shielding his left hand while bowling or fielding which in the end cost Pakistan the match and the series.

Pakistan’s team manager Colonel Naveed Akram Cheema told reporters here on Tuesday, "You must have witnessed it yesterday -- Shahid had a thumb injury, where his left thumb was wounded quite badly, the skin tore off and blood was oozing quite profusely”.

As per the sources, the doctors have advised Shahid Afridi to rest for five days which means he will be missing the first two Twenty20Is of the series.

Team manager stated, "He's received about two stitches. The doctors intend to examine the intensity of the wound (and) how far can it be healed. We haven't taken a decision yet (on whether he will be fit for the first match on Wednesday)."

The series has been dubbed as the preparations for the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 2012 event in Sri Lanka and both Australia and Pakistan would be looking to come up with their final touches to their preparations.

However, Shahid Afridi’s injury can be a huge blow for Pakistan as the all-rounder has the highest number of scalps in the shortest format, i.e. 58. Second and third in the list are from Pakistan as well. Fast bowler Umar Gul, who is part of the T20 squad, has 55 wickets to his name while orthodox off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has captured 54 victims in the T20 format thus far.

Pakistan’s T20 captain Mohammed Hafeez showed confidence in abilities of his wicket-takers as he told reporters here that his team’s focus was to play as a unit rather than relying on individual performances.

Australia have further revved up their fast bowling attack by including 19-year-old pacer Patrick Cummins and their T20 skipper George Bailey told reporters, "It's going to be particularly important, especially once we get to Sri Lanka (for the World Twenty20) to have that genuine out-and-out pace. It makes it hard for teams to settle, and there's no doubt that Patrick's got that express pace. He's well skilled with his changes of pace, his slower ball and his bumper, which is very good, and a very good yorker.

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Pakistan prefers Shahid Afridi over Sohail Tanvir in 3rd ODI

By Asif Khan

KARACHI (TheSportsNext) September 3, 2012: Pakistan’s team management has decided to make star all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi part of the playing eleven in the third and final One Day International match against Australia to be played on Monday.

Sources told this scribe that the team management, after getting assured of fitness of the former captain, made the decision and Shahid Afridi will replace the left-arm fast bower Sohail Tanvir, who has failed to prove his worth in the playing eleven.

It is important to mention here that Shahid Afridi didn’t play the second One Day International against Australia after getting injured during the net practice session prior to that match.

Interestingly, Pakistan looked a different side in the second match and outplayed Australia completely by winning the match in a professional fashion by seven wickets.

After losing the first match of the series, captain Misbah ul Haq had criticized the lower middle order for not putting up a great show with the bat which gave hints of something fishy in the Pakistani team and it would be interesting to see how Pakistan look on the field in the final encounter of the three-match series tonight.

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Shahid Afridi’s latest media stunt infuriates PCB: sources

By Ahmed Jatt

KARACHI (TheSportsNext) September 2, 2012: Known for creating one controversy after another, Pakistan’s former skipper and talented leg-spin bowler Shahid Khan Afridi sparked yet another storm in Pakistan cricket on Sunday when his latest media stunt infuriated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) authorities, sources told TheSportsNext.com on Sunday.

Shahid Afridi told local media news channel the other day that he will play the third and final One Day International. Boom Boom Afridi was not part of Pakistan’s seven-wicket victory over Australia in the second One Day International after attracting an injury when he dived in a bid to stop a shot during net practice session in Abu Dhabi.

Sources told this scribe that the PCB authorities, who already don’t like Shahid Afridi and his anti-team unity attitude were deeply irked by the latest statements of Shahid Afridi and are of the view that the former skipper has violated the cricket board’s code of conduct and he will have to answer for this.

"We were surprised that how can Shahid Afridi give a media statement without getting permission especially in the mid of a series. We know that Afridi is habitual to violating the PCB rules but we can't bear such irresponsible behavior any longer”.

When asked that Afridi may have asked manager before talking to media, the sources stated, “We will ask the team management too but I don't think so that team manager gave him permission for a media stunt. It’s totally team’s internal issue about his fitness and only coach or team manager can give an official statement about it".

Sources further elaborated that as per the PCB code of conduct no player is allowed to speak to media persons in the middle of a series without prior permission of the team management of the cricket board officials.

It is important to mention here that before Shahid Afridi talked to that reporter about his chances of playing in the final match, the team manager had already told media persons who were covering the practice session that Afridi did participate in the net session but “we will check on his fitness before the match and a final decision about his inclusion in the team will be made only after the fitness test”.

After few minutes of the manager’s statement, a local TV channel claimed that Shahid Afridi has confirmed that he was feeling better and will be playing the final ODI against Australia in Dubai.

Sources in the PCB further stated, "We are looking into this matter and if Afridi has violated the code of conduct, he will have to answer for his folly. He is the most senior player in the national team and if we spare him for such acts then it will set a bad example for the junior cricketers in the team”.

It is merit mentioning here that vast majority of the PCB’s think-tank is not happy with Shahid Afridi in the national team and they usually complain about BoomBoom’s acts to the PCB chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf and the all-rounder’s habit of leaking internal news to his friends in the media are the biggest point of concern for the PCB officials.

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No decision yet on Shahid Afridi’s inclusion in 3rd ODI

By Asif Khan

KARACHI (TheSportsNext) September 2, 2012: After defeating Australia by seven wickets in the second One Day International at Abu Dhabi on Saturday early morning, Pakistani cricketers left for Dubai in the afternoon to take on the Aussies in the third and final match of the series to be held on September 3-4, 2012.

Sources told this scribe that a decision on whether former skipper Shahid Khan Afridi will be part of the Pakistani playing eleven in the third ODI or not will be taken on Sunday after the team’s net session.

Shahid Afridi had received injury during a practice session ahead of the second ODI when he dived while catching a ball during fielding drills. Thereafter, left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan made it to the final eleven and impressed many with his disciplined bowling.

On Saturday, Pakistani team management made players to have an off day before returning to nets on Sunday to get ready for the final ODI.

The three-match One Day International series is tied 1-1 after Australia defeated Pakistan in the opening match by four wickets in Sharjah before Pakistan leveled the series with a seven-wicket victory in Abu Dhabi.

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