A chance for Afridi to make his way back into the ODI side – Opinion
The two-match T20 series between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Ali-Khan-c89356 Afridi, who can strengthen his case for a comeback in the One Day International (ODI) squad
by doing well in his favourite format.
The 32-year-old cricketer is not part of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s squad for the upcoming ODI series; however, the hard-hitting all-rounder is expected to play a vital role in the T20 battle, if the Green Shirts are to dismantle the hosts, who possess
a star-studded batting line-up.
Even after 16 years in international cricket, Afridi remains one of the most popular players in Pakistan, with immense fan-following. It is the prime reason why it is extremely hard for the national selectors to drop the leg-spinner.
The chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-c89347 is still a match-winner but his exclusion from the ODI team was the need
of the hour.
“Dropping Afridi was a difficult decision,” Qasim said. “He is no doubt a great player and has the ability to win a game, but the decision has been taken in the interest of the team.”
Over the years, Afridi has been a genuine match-winner for Pakistan with the ball in the shorter formats of the game. The former Pakistan captain played an influential role in the team’s success in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013,
being named as the Player of the Match in the semi-final against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
Having been given the captaincy of the limited-over sport in 2010, Afridi led the team from the front and picked up wickets regularly against all oppositions. The Pathan was the highest wicket-taker of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011,
with 21 scalps along with India’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Z-Khan-c98379.
However, the all-rounder has performed below par in international cricket in 2012, picking up just 15 wickets in 16 matches at an expensive average of 43.13 runs per wicket in the ODIs. To make matters worse, the former skipper has
scored merely 182 runs with a batting average of just 15.16 runs per innings.
Afridi’s case has been further weakened by his poor performance in the ICC World T20 2012, played in Sri Lanka, where the all-rounder failed to make an impression with either bat or ball. He scored just 30 runs in six matches and claimed
only four wickets, much to the disappointment of his fans.
To get dropped from the national team at this stage of one’s career is surely a setback but this is not the end of the world for the all-rounder, who can prove his credentials once again by guiding the Green Shirts to victory in the
two-match T20 series.
It is about time that the former captain regains his form as the chief selector has hinted at searching for Afridi’s permanent replacement.
“We did retain him in the T20 squad and if he performs well he can win back his ODI place in the future. Meanwhile, we are looking for a youngster as Afridi's replacement and I am sure we will find the right man soon from the domestic
circuit,” Qasim claims.
Getting dropped at this stage of his career is definitely a setback for Boom Boom but he would love to answer his critics in the best possible manner during today’s fixture at Bangalore.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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