PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt meets skipper Shahid Afridi
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, to discuss the selection of players for the ODI series in New Zealand and next month’s Cricket World Cup in the subcontinent.
After holding a lengthy meeting with the chairman, Afridi told the media that the meeting was very fruitful. The Pakistan skipper said that important matters regarding the performance of the team in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 and selection of players were discussed. Afridi,
while choosing not to reveal the final decisions of the meeting said, “Such a meeting was due and a lot of positives came out of it. The chairman was briefed on everything and he was very receptive to what I had to say on different issues."
The all-rounder led the team in the three-match Twenty20 series in New Zealand, which the tourists lost 2-1. According to reports, the PCB chairman had summoned Afridi to inquire about the reasons behind this loss. Afridi struggled with his batting and captaincy
in the series, and was criticised back home for his lack of vision and leadership from many quarters.
When the flamboyant all-rounder was asked to react to the criticism against him, he said, “I don’t know exactly what anyone is saying but I try to learn if some great players like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 or Imran Khan speak." However, Afridi admitted that the team needed
to improve a lot in all three formats of the game. He said, “I know some people are disappointed and not sure about what is going to happen in the World Cup, but I want to assure them that this team will give it its best shot.”
The all-rounder said that he was not mulled by criticism, however; he wanted the criticism to be constructive. “I am ready to learn from anyone but I just don't like criticism for criticism’s sake. Criticism should be valid. I just think that our former
players now need to back this team for an important event like the World Cup. These are the same set of players we have to rely on so everyone needs to support and encourage them," he said. Afridi said he fancied Pakistan’s chances in this year’s World Cup,
and asked the supporters not to count Pakistan out of the World Cup.
It was important for the board to take the input of the ODI skipper before announcing the preliminary squad for the World Cup. According to sources, the skipper was briefed on the decisions made by the integrity committee on the matter of the clearance of
the three players including Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314. The three players are currently not cleared for selection because the ICC has suspicions over their alleged links with bookmakers.
The PCB’s selection committee is expected to announce its 30-member preliminary World Cup squad on Tuesday; a day before the deadline given by the ICC for the announcement of the squad.
Tags: