Afridi all set to return to first-class cricket – Cricket News Update
Swashbuckling Pakistani all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
Afridi has been highly criticized for lack of runs this year, and is now contemplating a return to the country’s first-class competition to get into some batting form ahead of his side’s limited-overs bouts next month.
If given the green light, he will feature for Habib Bank Limited in the ongoing President’s Trophy, having last represented the same team in January of 2009. A club official said that the player could join the squad in place of left-arm spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Somerset-c843.
"Though Afridi's name wasn't listed in 20-man probables for the team, he can take the place of Rehman to play the rest of the rounds ahead of the India series," the spokesman said.
Form has indeed deserted the all-rounder this year, where he has managed just 182 runs in 16 ODIs, and further claimed just 15 wickets at 43.13. His performances during the recently concluded World T20 were nothing less than ordinary. He scored only 30 runs in six matches, including two first ball ducks, and picked up just four wickets at 42.75.
His outings drew severe criticism from former players and media pundits, with many advising the player to hang his boots. Afridi however, reiterated his commitment to the national team and said that he will leave on his own terms. The 32-year-old had already quit the longer version format in 2010 after playing the opening Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, where he further captained the side.
"We understand he [Afridi] has been struggling with his form and obviously he has to play quality cricket to regain it," a spokesman from HBL sports department told ESPNcricinfo. "Unfortunately there is no limited-overs cricket being played at the moment and the on-going first-class tournament is the way out for him to get engaged to change his dipping form."
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