Disappointed Afridi set to call it a day

Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Khan Afridi is likely to announce retirement from one-day internationals after the captaincy snub from the Pakistan Cricket Board. The PCB removed Afridi from captaincy for the upcoming two-match series against Ireland and Misbahul Haq was named captain of the team on grounds that skipper will be announced in series to series basis. Afridi’s sacking came after he spoke against the team management for intervening in the selection process during the West Indies tour.
Afridi on his return told media that he was not happy with the interference of coach Waqar Younis in selection matters. But when the PCB asked for explanation, he took a U-turn and sought meeting with the PCB chairman but Ijaz Butt refused to meet him and instead asked for a written explanation. It is believed that Afridi apologised in his letter to the PCB chairman, who in return removed him from captaincy.
Now reports coming from close quarters from Afridi say that he was so disappointed that he would announce retirement. Afridi is currently in the United States for fund-raising activity and is part of the team as a regular player, but the way he prompted the ouster of Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik in the past and made Shoaib Akhtar announce his retirement mid-way through the World Cup are some of the things that would be itching the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt. Afridi rapidly lost support in the cricket board for not abiding by the board rules and continuing to talk to media despite several warnings by the PCB chairman, and other top authorities.
Given the age and form factor, this probably is right time for him to step down. Pakistan are having a tough schedule as after returning from West Indies, they are due to play two ODIs in Ireland and then they will be touring Zimbabwe in August but before that most of the stars will be in action in the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) for which the PCB has issued NOCs to Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal.