No farewell UAE tour for Afridi after all

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Plans to have veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi play a farewell series have not come to fruition, as the selector have not picked him for the T20 series against the West Indies in the UAE.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq had reportedly wanted to give Afridi a goodbye series, but with other PCB top brass unavailable to support the call, for various reason, it did not materialise.

There was a thought, reported on Cricinfo, that Afridi would be added to the 15-man squad for the series, in order to give him a farewell, but this is not the case.

A few days ago, Afridi had hinted that he would indeed be part of the team: “I have put no pressure on the board nor they on me but whatever happens it will be good and set new precedents.

“I have always noted that in Pakistan there is no tradition of players retiring gracefully, even the big names. Every player wants to go out on a high and I am no different.

“Players must exit respectfully since the ones who serve the country with distinction deserve honour. I have had a discussion with Inzi bhai (Inzamam-ul-Haq) who is an elder to me and we will do what is beneficial to both Pakistan cricket and my own self.

“This would allow players to decide themselves when it is the right time for them to retire gracefully and with dignity.”

Meanwhile, Azhar Ali has been retained as the ODI captain, after he refused to step down from the role after losing the series in England recently.

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