Shahid Afridi's future under doubt after PCB rejects farewell match plans

Following his proposal to bow out of international cricket with a final appearance in the upcoming T20I series against West Indies in UAE, PCB have shelved Shahid Afridi’s farewell plans and thrown the experienced all rounder’s future into considerable doubt.

Sethi rules out Afridi’s selection

Despite Chairman Shahryar Khan and Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq expressing their approval for the 36-year old to be picked in the Pakistan squad, Executive Committee head Najam Sethi has reportedly ruled against it.

A highly placed source close to PCB revealed, “Yes, it is correct that a decision was taken and approved by Shaharyar and Inzamam that Afridi would travel to UAE as the 16th player and appear in a final match against the West Indies before announcing his retirement and going out gracefully.”

“Sethi made the point that the board would be setting a wrong example by including Afridi as the 16th player just to give him a chance to play his farewell international match and it was also not befitting for such a senior player.”

Afridi wanted to go out on a high

The leg-spinner had hoped to end a 20-year international career, spanning more than 500 matches across all formats on a high. Even though he wanted to retire in the aftermath of the World T20 in India, Pakistan’s abject performance during the tournament changed his thinking.

Afridi had previously said, “I have put no pressure on the board nor they on me but whatever happens it will be good and set new precedents. I have always noted that in Pakistan there is no tradition of players retiring gracefully, even the big names. Every player wants to go out on a high and I am no different.“

However, the selectors did not include him in the 15-man squad to take on the current World T20 holders West Indies. for a 3-match series beginning on the 23^rd and preferred to blood in fresh faces under Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy.

Indicating that the writing was already on the wall, the source added, “Sethi’s argument is logical and he made it clear that he would speak to Afridi himself and settle the matter. Sethi will now meet Afridi in last week of September and offer him the chance to accept a proper farewell event and announce his retirement. Afridi might have played his final match for Pakistan if the plan given by Sethi is followed to the letter.”