The West Indies tour reports, leaked to the media on Tuesday, have shown that both the head coach, Waqar Younis and the team manager, Intikhab Alam criticised Shahid Afiridi’s captaincy during the five-match One Day International series in the Caribbean.
The reports revealed that the coach pointed out the drawbacks of Afridi’s captaincy and also blamed him for the defeats in the last two ODIs. Intikhab Alam backed Waqar’s point of view, saying that the all-rounder has a short temperament and does not consider other views.
“As a captain I feel he (Afridi) is still very immature, has poor discipline, lacks game plan and is unwilling to listen to others’ opinions or advice,” said Waqar.
Waqar also added that he and others have been working hard on Afridi to help him become a successful skipper in the long run, but often his aggressive and immature nature proved harmful and even resulted in defeats.
Afridi was appointed as a skipper just two weeks before the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011, but he brilliantly led his side to the semi-final stage of the tournament. He not only proved himself as a responsible skipper but also as a useful player, becoming the top wicket-taker of the event with 21 dismissals.
Following the mega event’s conclusion, Afridi continued with his responsibility for the Caribbean tour, where he failed to give any notable performance.
Under his captaincy, Pakistan team lost the only Twenty20 to and won the five-match ODI series by 3-2.
During the West Indian tour, there were reports of a row between Afridi and the team management. On his return after the ODI series, Afridi passed some offensive statements regarding the team’s management. The skipper was then sacked from Captaincy for the two-match One Day series against Ireland.
According to Afridi, the Pakistan Cricket Board did not give him any prior notice and announced his removal directly to media.
In response to PCB’s action, the flamboyant batsman announced his retirement from International cricket without informing any of the board’s officials.
Afridi added that he did not want to continue playing under the current Board management, which was disrespectful to players.
The PCB issued Afridi a show cause notice, seeking an explanation for the way he announced his retirement and also suspended his central contract, citing that the player has breached the code of conduct. In addition, the board has also revoked all the non-objection-certificates granted to him.
Recently, Afridi has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, against the charges imposed on him by the PCB.
