Shahid Afridi hints at Test comeback
Boom boom Afridi, one of the most explosive cricket players the world has ever seen, with a more than impressive strike rate with his bat and a handy leg spinner, has hinted that he might consider a return for the Pakistan Test side if the need arises. Afridi,
who ended a four year drought from Tests this year where he led Pakistan in one of the very first test of the summer against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and went on to announce his retirement from Tests. It is also rumoured that his decision was influenced by the negative attitude
of a number of players who were involved in lobbying within the team.
It is no surprise however that the Pakistan team has found itself in the midst of player lobbying and infighting. This plague has been part of Pakistan cricket for a long time now, and some of the younger players had been averse to those from the era of
Wasim and Waqar. Shahid Afridi, who has been playing for the country for the last 16 years has served the national side with the likes of Wasim, Waqar and Moin http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 along with others.
The current http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 side can be divided into three distinct groups, with the first group comprizing of the senior most players like Afridi, Akhtar, Yousaf, Younis and Abdul Razzaq. The second group comprises of the relatively new generation players such
as Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yasir-Hameed-c2811 and then we have the relatively new players such as Umar Amin, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Amir and many others.
The problem that the Pakistan team faces is that of lobbying within the team, and the younger players are often influenced by the relatively senior players. The decisions of team selection is also based on lobbying and nepotism and this has been Pakistan’s
failing for some time now. Afridi has emerged as a captain who does yield a lot of influence on his players based on his seniority and credentials. He also managed to bring out the best in the troubled side despite the absence of key players like Salman Butt,
Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.
Afridi’s return to tests may or may not be fruitful. That only time can tell. However, one thing is for certain that even though he might have shown susceptibility to being erratic with his batting he is still a useful leg spinner and on his day can cause
serious damage to the other side with the bat as well. Given his energetic presence on the field, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482’s inclusion in the side may be justified. However this inclusion must not come at the expense of ignoring deserving talent for a stint with the
national side. It is time, that they find replacements for players like Yousaf, Younis, Afridi and Butt however such decisions must be based on merit alone.
Pakistan’s next international series is against South Africa in October – November in UAE. "I will think about it and if the team needs it, I may consider playing the Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757," Afridi said.
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