Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the former limited-overs captain, Shahid Afridi, has pulled out of the Ireland tour due to his father’s illness.
"Shahid Afridi has informed us that he would not be able to play two ODIs against Ireland as he is with his ailing father in the United States. Doctors have advised him to remain with his father for the time being", said the PCB spokesman.
The spokesman said that the board can understand the situation, which the flamboyant all-rounder is going through, and hoped his father would get well soon.
"We can understand the situation and mental stress that Afridi must be facing now and we hope for the speedy recovery of his father", the spokesman added.
The 31-year old was earlier sacked from captaincy and Pakistan’s Test skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq, was given charge of leading the One Day side as well during the Ireland tour where the Men in Green are scheduled to play two One Day Internationals (ODIs) later this month.
Though no reason was given by the board for the abrupt and shocking decision, it was reported that PCB chief, Ijaz Butt, was not happy with Afridi over his media revelations.
Despite having a number of positives, Afridi frequently addressed the media and discussed team issues publically. And the practice finally cost him his captaincy role after he told the media that he was at loggerheads with head coach, Waqar Younis, on selection matters during the five-match ODI series against West Indies in West Indies.
The leg-spinner was not happy with the squad he was given for the final two games of the five-match series but the team manager, Intikhab Alam convinced him to play and discuss the matter with the PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt on his return home.
Afridi’s comments came soon after he returned home from Caribbean after winning the ODI series by 3-2. The former skipper had complained that his relations with the team coach had reached such a stage that he wanted to skip the last two One Day Internationals of the series.
The sacked skipper is yet to respond to the notice for violation of the code of conduct.
PCB Chief Butt has said that he would look into the matter after he receives the tour report from the team manager.
It has also been reported that the PCB chief is not happy with Waqar Younis as well and is mulling over having a decisive talk with him once the team returns home from West Indies.
