http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482’s replacement for second Test against Australia
After Shahid Afridi dramatically stepped down as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s Test captain in the wake of his team’s 150-run loss to Australia inside four days at Lord’s last week, there have been few surprises in the naming of his successor.
Opener Salman Butt, who served as Afridi’s deputy for the first Test against Ricky Ponting’s side, has gained a promotion to the role of Test skipper for the remainder of Pakistan’s tour of England, which includes the second and final Test against Australia at Headingly this week as well as the four Tests the side is scheduled to play against England during the summer.
With Butt now leading the team just 28 games into his Test career – he’ll be Pakistan’s fifth Test captain since the beginning of 2009 – Kamran Akmal has been handed responsibility for the vice-captaincy.
While Afridi indicated in the initial announcement of his imminent retirement that he’d play on until the end of the current series, a side strain will now see him miss the match at Headingly, meaning the all-rounder’s return to Test cricket after a four-year absence lasted just one match.
Afridi will rejoin the Pakistan squad for Pakistan’s ODI and Twenty20 International matches against England.
The immediate nature of Afridi’s retirement from Test cricket does, however, open the door for Shoaib Malik to play in the match, beginning on Wednesday, after missing the first Test against the Aussies and reports suggest the 28-year-old all-rounder may be included in the playing XI as a replacement for Afridi.
Meanwhile, Australia seamer Ben Hilfenhaus faces a race for fitness ahead of the second Test after injuring his shoulder while diving for the ball on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan.
In light of Hilfenhaus’ fitness worries, Victorian fast bowler Clint McKay, who has been participating in England’s domestic Twenty20 competition, has been added to the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 Test squad ahead of this week’s match.
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