Afridi may lose captaincy, say PCB sources

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After loss to India, Afridi may lose captaincy, say PCB sources

• Pakistan's World T20 loss to India could spell the end of Shahid Afridi's rein as captain.
• According to the sources, PCB chairman has indicated even the current selection committee could be disbanded.
• Aaqib Javed is tipped to replace Waqar if the PCB does not opt for a foreigner.

Pakistan's World Twenty20 loss to India could spell the end of Shahid Afridi's rein as captain with the country's cricket board planning to sack him irrespective of the team's performance in the remainder of the tournament.

"There is clear discontent in the Board about Afridi and his performances and captaincy and even if he decides against retiring after the World T20, the board will not retain him as captain any longer and even his days as a player are ending now," a Pakistan Cricket Board source said.

"The Board is also privately not happy with the media statements of Afridi and believe it is time to move on," he said.

Sources told PTI that PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has indicated even the current selection committee could be disbanded after the World T20.

"No matter whether Pakistan reaches the semi-finals or even wins the title the selection committee headed by Haroon Rasheed is on its way out," one source confided.

He said the inquiry committee formed by the board to probe into the performance of the team in the Asia Cup had already held three meetings and they expressed discontent with the performance of the selectors and management.

In one of the meetings the committee members questioned chief selector Haroon Rashid and the other selectors Saleem Jaffer, Azhar Khan and Kabir Khan separately.

"What emerged was that some of the selectors complained Haroon kept them isolated on some key decisions while the chief selector blamed the captain and coach for some of the players selected in recent times," the source said.

He said that the board was also contemplating appointing a new coach and would not extend Waqar Younis's contract when it expires before the tour to England in summer.

"Initially the plan was to extend Waqar's contract till the England tour but now this seems unlikely and there is discussion going on about having a foreign coach or a local one," another source disclosed.

Pakistan's former Test pacer Aaqib Javed who has worked as coach with the national under-19 and A teams and was also the bowling coach with the senior team is tipped to replace Waqar if the PCB does not opt for a foreigner.


WT20: After loss to India, Afridi may lose captaincy, say PCB sources - Times of India

 

[piinku1]

Pak is intolerant

 

[kumarvishwas]

They have only lost to India but are not out of tournament,why are they creating such a havoc,instead they should motivate them to win remaining matches :dodgy :dodgy

 

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Now its Confirmed
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Afridi to be sacked post World T20: PCB chief

• Afridi will be replaced as Pakistan's T20 captain after the World T20, Shaharyar Khan announced.
• Shaharyar Khan told reporters that the board and Afridi had a understanding that he would retire after the World Cup.
• Shaharyar made it clear that the board didn't err in appointing Afridi as captain

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi will be replaced as Pakistan's T20 captain after the World T20 in India, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan announced on Monday, while hinting his days as a player were also numbered.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters in Lahore on his return from Kolkata on Monday that the board and Afridi had a understanding that he would retire after the World Cup.

"He is captain till the World Cup under this understanding and he has said he will retire after the event. Even if he changes his mind and wants to carry on we will have to see whether he can be picked as a player or not," Khan said.

He however made it clear that the board didn't err in appointing Afridi as captain of the national T20 squad last year.

"Afridi is a iconic figure in Pakistan and he has won us matches in the past, some on his own. His choice was logical. It is natural that whenever the team loses a big match there is criticism directed at him. But I think at this he needs the support of everyone," Khan said.

The PCB chief also confirmed that the board was contemplating changing the coach after the world event.

"We are looking at it. Waqar (Younis)'s contract is until June. I discussed the matter with Wasim Akram and some other senior players and they said whether we appoint a foreigner or have a local coach he should be able to produce best results from the team. Personally I don't see anything wrong in having a foreign coach as we have done in the past. And Bob Woolmer was our best coach. I think the players need a cultural shock so we might have a foreign coach or a local coach."

Khan also dispelled the impression that there was any grouping in the team or the players were demotivated.

"Let me tell you it was a big disappointment that we again lost to India in a World Cup match but there is no grouping in the team and the players are united and motivated as well to do well. Pakistan still has a chance of qualifying for the semi-final as they still have to play New Zealand and Australia and even one win can boost our chances."

The PCB chief also didn't see anything wrong in the team inviting former captain Imran Khan for a pep talk before the match in Kolkata.

"I don't see anything wrong in that. It has got nothing to do with the responsibilities of the team management. Imran is a big name and he came to just tell the players to relax and not take pressure in the big match."

Khan confirmed that the team management had pulled up batsman Umar Akmal for bringing up the issue of his batting higher in the order during Imran's meeting with the team.

"The team management has already spoken to Umar and told him clearly his behaviour was not good for team spirit. It was not the occasion for such discussion. As it is he is bats at number 4 so where else can the team management send him."

Khan also appreciated the security and hospitality provided to the team in India and Kolkata.

"We are totally satisfied with the security arrangements for the team and we feel that it is also time that we resumed bilateral cricket series between the two countries. It is a matter of the Indian government giving clearance for the resumption of such series," he said.

Khan also spoke about the possibility of a Commonwealth squad touring Pakistan in September this year.

"Giles Clarke will be visit Lahore next month and we are talking to him to make a series with the Commonwealth side in Pakistan possible and it could happen this year," he added.


Afridi to be sacked post World T20: PCB chief - Times of India