Shahid Afridi called it a day. He did so after being replaced as One-Day cricket captain against Ireland, following a fiery clash and public criticism of coach Waqar Younis for alleged interference in team selection. Like millions of others, I am his great fan and admirer. A limited-over match without Afridi, to me, is like food without salt.
Afridi is a great all-rounder who showed his worth and excellence in all the three departments and in all the versions of the game. However, his peculiar temperament, actions and decisions, at times, had been embarrassing and unbecoming of a good captain who is required to be highly sporting and sober. Afridi was seen grumbling and making facial expressions together with his body language whenever a team-mate dropped even a half-catch or failed to save runs. He was even caught on the cameras chewing the ball. This was something unbecoming of a good skipper.
He was even highly emotional about announcing his retirement from Test cricket in July last year following defeat against Australia. This too was not liked by many. Discipline is the topmost requisite of any game. This should never be compromised. No one is greater than the game itself. If Afridi had some issues with the coach, the same could have been resolved amicably.
Having said all that, I believe that as a cricketer in the playing eleven, Afridi still has a place. There is still a lot of cricket in him. He should reconsider his retirement and continue playing limited-overs cricket as a team member in the interest of his country.
MARIA NOOR
Karachi
