Pakistan former great Wasim Akram is happy the controversy around Shahid Afridi’s shock retirement due to his differences with coach Waqar Younis has ended. Afridi was fined 5 million rupees by the PCB after pleading guilty for airing his views in public. However, the Pakistan Board has allowed Afridi to play for Hampshire in the domestic T20 championships in England.
Akram is relieved that all the drama is now over. “I am glad all the differences were sorted out between the Board and Afridi. It is time to move on from this.”
The temperamental Afridi was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup along with Zaheer Khan with 21 scalps. Akram feels Pakistan still need Afridi since he has been their best bowler in recent times.
“I hope that he plays for Pakistan again. Afridi is still our best bowler. I also believe he is a good enough cricketer to be there in any side in the world in the limited-overs format,” concluded Akram.
It will be Advantage India in the Test series, says Wasim Akram, adding Chris Gayle’s absence will only give the tourists a shot in the arm and a big mental boost.
Destructive opening batsman Gayle has been ignored so far for his outburst against the West Indies Cricket Board in a radio-show in April. The Board wants Gayle to apologize in order to win his place back. A couple of meetings between the two parties have failed to resolve the dispute.
