Warm welcome for Afridi’s men

LAHORE – The Pakistan cricket team on Friday morning reached the country and were accorded warm welcome after figuring in the World Cup 2011 semi-finals. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, Younus Khan and Asad Shafique touched the port city of Karachi and the remaining players were received by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt at the Lahore airport.
Misbah ul Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Kamran Akmal, Umer Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmad Shahzad, Shoaib Akhtar and Wahab Riaz and the team management, manager Intikhab Alam, coaches Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed all landed at Lahore. Afridi on arrival clearly asked the senior players to make way for the youngsters in the team. “It’s time for the senior players to retire and young players should be selected,” said Afridi at Karachi airport.
Pakistan’s immediate assignment is against the West Indies, but Afridi has called for rest and has asked the PCB not to consider him for the series, according to reports. He was also critical of Shoaib Akhtar for his ill-timing in announcing his retirement. “He announced retirement just before the match against Australia and informed us on telephone. At first I did not understand what he was saying but the timing of his announcement was very bad for the overall progress of the team,” he added.
He further stated that he should have consulted them before taking such decision. Afridi was also critical of the interior minister Rehman Malik for asking the team not to get involved in match-fixing. “Persons of his stature should avoid giving such statements. It was really disturbing for the players ahead of a crucial match,” he added.
Like Karachi, emotional scenes were also witnessed at Lahore airport where dozens of fans mobbed the players while others danced around. Shahbaz Sharif asked the team members to continue their hard work with commitment to perform better in the upcoming international events. Talking to media at the airport where he received the team, he said they gave a remarkable performance and reached the semi-finals. “It was a result of hard work and collective efforts,” he said.
He also announced a grand reception for the players on April 5 to celebrate their performance in the World Cup. PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said he was delighted that the Chief Minister received the players to recognize their achievement. Team manager Intikhab Alam said the team performed well in the Cup but unfortunately they could not come up to the expectations in the semi final against India. “I am satisfied with the overall showing of the team in the mega event.”
In their brief reaction regarding the semi-final and the World Cup, the team members had different views. Medium pacer Wahab Riaz termed his five wicket haul in semi final against India “a memorable feeling” which will always inspire him to do better. He said the team showed good performance in the Cup but sadly it could not win the semi-final. “I am delighted the way I performed in the semi-final and I look forward to do better in the upcoming series,” Wahab said.
Saeed Ajmal said the team needs improvement in fielding to lift the level of its performance, while pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar refused to talk to media. Mohammad Hafeez said he was satisfied with his performance in the grand event and he would perform better in future because participation in the Cup was a valued addition to his experience and confidence.
“Unfortunately we failed to rise to the occasion in the semi-final, for which we apologise to the whole nation, but every team member performed to his best. He said the team management fully backed and supported each member of the team in every match. “We have another important series ahead and we will do our best to put a better show”, he said.
Razzaq said it was unfortunate that the team could not give the gift of the World Cup to the nation after losing the semi-final to India.