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.
