Afridi is 'immature': Younis in report to PCB

Karachi: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has filed a damaging report against former captain Shahid Afridi calling him "immature" and holding him responsible for two losses in the ODI series against West Indies.



Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan manager, has partially endorsed Waqar's views by writing in his report to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that Afridi is a 'highly hyperactive person' who lacks the temperament to bear with or accommodate other people's point of views.

The under-fire Afridi has been blamed by Waqar for Pakistan's defeats in the last two One-day Internationals (ODIs) against West Indies last month.

According to Dawn, Waqar observes in his report: "As a captain I feel he (Afridi) is still very immature, has poor discipline, lacks game plan and is unwilling to listen to others' opinions or advice. Besides myself, the rest of the coaching staff has worked very hard with him to improve his abilities as a long-term and successful captain but sometimes his volatile and immature nature has proved detrimental and led to unfortunate outcomes including game losses."

Pakistan won the five-match One-day International series in the Caribbean 3-2 after leading 3-0 at one stage.

"During the fourth and the fifth ODI against the West Indies, he (Afridi) came into the meetings with a decisive mindset and was refusing to discuss playing XI options. I, as a part of the touring selection committee, tried to discuss different options for the team but he behaved very inappropriately and walked out of the meeting," Waqar wrote.

Intikhab, a former Test captain, narrates in his report: "As a matter of fact, Shahid Afridi is a highly hyperactive personality who lacks temperament to listen to other people's point of views or look for solutions for the betterment of the team. Unfortunately, Waqar and Afrdi do not get along well with each other."

"Waqar's point of view is that on certain issues Afridi does not consult him, especially when to take batting power-play or change in the batting order which affects the result of the match.

"According to Afridi, Waqar interferes in his thinking, day to day routine and his captaincy and he does not feel comfortable with that. There is also one very serious issue that Waqar feels that whatever is discussed during the team meetings, Afridi has a habit to inform the media which affects the entire team."

Intikhab adds: "After winning the first three ODI matches, an incident took place during the (tour) selection committee meeting. Coach Waqar Younis mentioned that 'since we have won the ODI series we should encourage giving chance to younger players'. Afridi also wanted to do the same but there was some serious disagreement on certain players, which resulted in heated arguments.

"I have also been observing Waqar and feel that he is at times little harsh and arrogant which creates some problems," says Alam. — IANS

Dismay in Pakistan over Afridi quit shock

KARACHI: Pakistani greats expressed dismay Tuesday at Shahid Afridi's shock decision to quit international cricket, as officials said the "doors are open" for the influential all-rounder's return.

Former captain Rashid Latif urged the government to resolve the problem of the national team losing top players after Afridi, who was stripped of the one-day captaincy after a spat with authorities, retired late Monday.

"His decision to retire, after people like Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf left, should be treated as a serious issue and I demand the Pakistan government to form a committee and solve this," said Latif.

Ex-skipper Wasim Akram, under whom Afridi developed in the 1990s, called the development "sad" and said Pakistan had become a standing joke in cricket circles.

"It is sad and will hurt Pakistan cricket badly," Wasim told AFP. "Just last month Afridi was showered with praise after he took Pakistan to the World Cup 2011 semi-final, given cash awards and suddenly this happened.

"Wherever I go people ask me what's happening in Pakistan cricket. They laugh at us and I am left embarrassed," he added. "I think even the best doctors do not have a treatment for Pakistan cricket."

Afridi, 31, stood down from international duty after a row with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over critical comments about coach Waqar Younis after this year's World Cup, when the team reached the semi-finals.

"I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team," he told AFP from London.

"I will not play under this set-up of the PCB which has treated players roughly," he added.

Younis relinquished the captaincy after the 2009 Champions Trophy while Yousuf announced his retirement last year, a decision which he rescinded later. Both had tangled with the PCB.

The body's chairman Ijaz Butt insisted Afridi, known as one of cricket's most destructive limited-overs batsmen, would be welcomed back if he chose to reverse his decision.

"To retire from cricket is Afridi's decision," Butt told a local television channel. "We have not stopped Afridi from playing and the doors are open for him."

Afridi, who retired from Tests last year, was already hugely popular for his muscular batting and leg-spin, and had won rave reviews for uniting Pakistan after last year's spot-fixing scandal and taking them to the World Cup semis.

The big, bearded Afridi is known for hitting the fastest ever one-day century, off just 37 balls against Kenya in 1996, in his first international innings aged just 16. He also holds the record for most one-day sixes (289).

"As Pakistan captain Afridi should not have made his differences with coach public and should have solved them without coming to the media, and the PCB has also not tackled this fairly," said Wasim.

But another former captain, Moin Khan, laid the blame squarely at the PCB's door.

"This is a mistake of PCB administration," said Khan. "Afridi never took any names while he criticised the policies and Board took note of that, why no one in the government taking notice of PCB's actions of last three years."

Fans on the street backed Afridi, who was known to empty stadiums when he was given out.

"Afridi has taken a good decision," said Ali Nayyer, a student at Karachi University. "PCB has mis-treated him and they should be removed so that Afridi returns, we love him." — AFP

Playing the pressure game

	Shahid Afridi and MS Dhoni pose for the cameras © AFP

MS Dhoni and Shahid Afridi are men of instinct, who refuse to bide by convention. Both stand out for their daring attitudes but are defensive leaders. On Wednesday it is they, and not their Prime Ministers, who will be the most important men in Mohali. Their decisions will influence a match that has gained hysterical proportions.

So on the eve of the semi-final, described by some propaganda-driven television channels as a mahayudh(great war), Dhoni and Afridi were cautious, concealing their nerves behind smiles and flashes of humour.

Afridi was on time for his interaction with the media. Dhoni had arrived late, not an uncommon occurrence in the World Cup, and something the Indian management has never been able to explain. So even as Dhoni was wrapping up, Afridi was already in the room exchanging pleasantries with the Pakistan media.

Afridi is a restless man, always on the lookout for something - mostly mischief. Even before Dhoni had stood up, Afridi was next to him, smiling but looking his opposite number in the eye. He shook hands and then put his arm over Dhoni's shoulder. The cameramen went berserk. A moment later Afridi sat down, hunched forward, in control and ready to take on the world. For the next 15 minutes Afridi answered the media's questions with the wit of a stand-up comedian. His responses were impromptu, abrupt, in short bursts and left everyone chuckling.

Asked if Pakistan's fast bowlers would employ the same strategy of bowling short as did the Australians in the quarterfinals, Afridi shot back: "And maar khaye unon ne (they got beaten)." Why were Pakistan not training today? "Why, you don't like it?" Afridi responded. Someone asked whether Pakistan, a team with a young average age, could handle the pressure of a big game in front of a partisan crowd. Afridi completely misunderstood the question initially, and it was asked again. His response was off target. "Age is less? You are saying that because of me? Average age bolo na, yaar (say you meant the average age). Average actually increasing is not such a big thing. It can increase any time. This is a match to increase averages."

Then Afridi put on his serious hat, admitting a positive result would have tremendous significance for Pakistan cricket, which had plunged into crisis after three players were indicted in a spot-fixing scandal during the England tour last year. "It is very important," Afridi said. "This World Cup matters a lot for us because we are trying to bring cricket back home."

Afridi said the most important thing his players needed to do was enjoy the game. He even thought Pakistan held an advantage. "The main thing is if you know how to handle the pressure, you don't need to panic in it.

"We are enjoying our cricket because we are not the most favourite team in this competition. India is the most favourite team. We have played above our expectations. So we are very confident."

While Afridi was at ease, Dhoni behaved as though he was walking a tightrope. The match had attracted extra attention, and will be attended by the premiers of India and Pakistan, other political heavy weights and celebrities. Was it difficult to stay immune to the hype? "It should not be affecting us really because we all know it is a big tournament and we have prepared a lot for it," Dhoni said. "We are playing the semi-finals. The most important thing is how you prepared yourself irrespective of what is happening around you. And that is what we have been doing in the past few days."

Wasn't there a danger of losing focus in such a climate? "It depends on what you actually mean by hype - the hype created by the media, the sponsors. We are not getting involved and that is what is important. You need to be aware of what we are expected to do and we are expected to play good cricket on the field. All these things have been part of the Indian cricket for a long time. Of course the biggest distinguished guests will be there to see the game but they are here to enjoy cricket, which means we will have to play well and we will prepare well and see how it goes."

Dhoni said his team was focussed and had become used to the attention. And it was not the first time the players were part of such an experience. "When you talk about hype, pressure etc., one thing is sure: whether you are thinking about it, or not thinking about it, I don't think it really helps you perform. So what is not helping you perform needs to be kept away."

The foreign media was more interested in whether cricket was playing the bridge in bringing two neighbours back to the mediation table after bilateral talks between India and Pakistan were fractured following the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008. Dhoni said he would prefer being a player to being a diplomat.

Neither Dhoni nor Afridi would readily admit that the pressure would be immense. Afridi acted as though he did not have a care in the world. Dhoni said the focus would remain on the match. When both walk into the din created by 28,000 fans, their nerves will face a tremendous test. © ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Kenya sink without trace in massive chase

Pakistan 317 for 7 (Umar 71, Misbah 65, Kamran 55, Odoyo 3-41) beat Kenya 112 (Obuya 47, Afridi 5-16, Gul 2-12) by 205 runs

	Misbah-ul-Haq was one of four batsmen to reach fifty as Pakistan flattened Kenya at Hambantota © Getty Images Enlarge

Kenya again appeared totally out of their depth and posed no challenge to Pakistan at Hambantota, Collins Obuya's death-or-glory 47 being the only highlight for them as Shahid Afridi helped himself to 5 for 16 in a massive 205-run win, Pakistan's biggest win in World Cups and the eighth largest overall.

Four of Pakistan's batsmen cashed in to raise half-centuries and set up a total of 317 for 7 after a brief wobble against the new ball and Kenya made little effort to mount a serious challenge in their pursuit, rather looking to a lay a solid platform in the hope of batting out their full quota of overs. That ultimately proved a futile effort, too, although their innings did at least last until the 34th over - longer than their entire match against New Zealand three days ago.

Kenya's slide began in earnest when Afridi brought himself on and, in his third over, tempted Steve Tikolo down the pitch only for the ball to rush straight on to rattle the stumps. Kenya were 73 for 3 in the 23rd over when Tikolo was dismissed, without any real hope of chasing more than 300 but at least looking steady enough to last the full 50 after the top order had showed at least a little grit. There was no such offering from the middle, however, as the remaining seven wickets fell for just 39 runs in just over ten overs.

Afridi was the chief wrecking ball, quickly ending a bustling innings from Tanmay Mishra and making short work of Rakep Patel, Jimmy Kamande and Thomas Odoyo as he unfurled a mixed bag of legbreaks, sliders and quicker ones as the ball began to bite and spit off the surface. Amid the carnage, Obuya opened up to smite through enormous sixes but was caught on the boundary attempting a fourth to give Afridi the best figures by a Pakistan bowler in a World Cup, beating Wasim Akram's 5 for 28 against Namibia in Kimberley at the 2003 tournament. Once he went, the end was mercifully quick in coming.

Ultimately they flattered to deceive, but against expectations Kenya had actually bossed the opening exchanges of the match, Thomas Odoyo and Elijah Otieno showing admirable control with the new ball. Otieno provided the first breakthrough when Hafeez tried to force a length delivery into the leg side but hit it uppishly and Seren Waters, at straight midwicket, leapt to his left and managed to cling onto a juggled catch mere inches from the turf. In the very next over Shehzad, who had scratched around for 17 balls that yielded just a single run, chipped a leading edge to give Jimmy Kamande a simple catch at mid-off and Pakistan were in some serious strife.

The pressure soon began to lift, however, Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan quickly settling and Nehemiah Odhiambo suffering a shambolic start to his spell as 16 runs came from a first over that included three no-balls. Kamran proved the more fluent of the two early in his innings but Younis provided sensible support and, as the spinners came on, plenty of ones and twos were taken to keep the score ticking over.

Smart Stats There were four fifty-plus scores in Pakistan's innings, which is the joint highest for the number of fifty-plus scores in a team innings in World Cups. Pakistan's 317 is their highest score in ODIs againstKenya, surpassing their previous best of 286 in Sharjah in 2003. It is also their fourth-highest total in World Cups. Kenya conceded 44 extras, which is the fifth-highest on the list of most extras conceded by a team in a World Cup match. Misbah-ul-Haq scored his fourth half-century in 11 innings since August 2009. In the same period, he has scored 428 runs at an average of 47.55, which is much higher than his career average of 40.48. Pakistan scored 112 runs in the last ten overs of their innings, including 70 runs in the batting powerplay. South Africa hold the record for most runs in the last ten overs in ODIs since 2000, with 146 runs against Pakistan at Centurion in 2007. The 205-run win is Pakistan's largest margin of victory in World Cup matches and also Kenya's worst defeat in World Cups. The 112 is Kenya's third-lowest score in World Cup matches. Their lowest is the 69 against New Zealand in the opening match of the 2011 World Cup.

Kamran eased past 50, from 62 balls, and looked set for plenty more before he charged down the wicket to left-arm spinner Shem Ngoche and was easily stumped. Kenya were buzzing once more with the breakthrough, but despite giving a far a far better account of themselves than they had against New Zealand at Chennai they lacked the necessary firepower to land the killer blow.

Misbah-ul-Haq opened his World Cup account with a massive six off Tikolo and rushed into the 20s at better than a-run-a-ball to complement the more circumspect Younis, who showed the value of steady accumulation before he was dismissed lbw for exactly 50 despite an optimistic review.

Misbah and Umar Akmal were barely troubled as they set about compiling a 118 runs for the fifth wicket, their partnership exploding into life as the Batting Powerplay was called for in the 44th over immediately after Misbah had reached fifty on his World Cup debut. Umar thrashed 20 off a weary Otieno's seventh over and soon sprinted to the fourth fifty of the innings as the score passed 250 in the 46th over. With Pakistan now swinging from the hip at just about everything, Kenya picked up regular wickets but threatened to unravel completely in the face of an all-out assault.

Odoyo removed Umar and Afridi from consecutive deliveries to find himself on a hat-trick in the 49th over but speared the next ball acres down the leg side and repeated the blunder later in the same over as battle fatigue set in. Extras, with 46, very nearly became the fifth half-century maker of the innings as Kenya had the ignominious honour of equalling the record for most wides in a one-day international, and there was a visible sense of relief as they finally completed their stint in the field.

Their efforts with the bat quickly put their failures with the ball in the shade, however, and Kenya will need a complete overhaul if they are to challenge anyone in this tournament. At the other end of the spectrum, Pakistan will be pleased with a generally slick and professional performance that has set their campaign off on an overwhelmingly positive note. —ESPNcricinfo

Afridi retained as Pakistan captain for World Cup

Ending weeks of speculations, Pakistan today named experienced all-rounder, Shahid Afridi as the captain of the national team for the ICC cricket World Cup to begin in Dhaka on February 19.


In pic: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi lifting the 2009 T20 WC Trophy

The Pakistan Cricket Board said that Afridi would lead the team while Test captain and another front-runner for the job, Misbah-ul-Haq would be his deputy in the mega-event to be jointly co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. "The board has retained Afridi as captain for the World Cup.

Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed will also continue as head coach and bowling consultant in the competition," PCB media manager Nadeem Sarwar said. The PCB also appointed a security advisor, Wasim Ahmed to accompany the team in the World Cup after the post was lying vacant following the resignation of Khawaja Naeem.

The PCB also announced that vice-captain Misbah would be part of the tour selection committee for the World Cup, which also includes manager (Intikhan Alam), coach and the captain. Interestingly, the board has named Alam as the chairman of the tour selection committee. Afridi's appointment as World Cup captain was a formality after he led Pakistan to its first ODI series win since 2008, when it defeated New Zealand in the fifth one-day international in Hamilton yesterday.

Former captain Moin Khan hailed Afridi's reinstatement as Pakistan skipper but said PCB created an "unnecessary controversy" by delaying the captaincy announcement. "It was logical to retain Afridi as captain for this big event after the way he inspired the team to its first ODI series win in New Zealand in 17 years," Moin said. "I think the board only created unnecessary controversy and speculations by delaying the decision. The World Cup team was already announced last month and it was high time, the board announced the captain. Afridi is a good choice," he added.

He pointed out that Afridi had been leading Pakistan in ODIs and Twenty20 matches since last year and so far did a good job. "This talk about Misbah being considered as a captaincy candidate for the World Cup started because of the board's indecision," Moin noted. Former captain and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif, who is in Dubai these days with the Afghanistan team, also agreed with Moin. "Afridi was always the logical choice because he has been leading the team since last year and now the players are also responding to him. He also understand his captaincy style well now. The biggest thing is that Afridi has shown lot of commitment for his job," Latif said. -PTI

All-round Razzaq flattens New Zealand

Pakistan 183 for 6 (Shehzad 54, Razzaq 34*, Franklin 2-12) beat New Zealand 80 (Styris 45, Afridi 4-14, Razzaq 3-13) by 103 runs

It was the Razzaq show in Christchurch © AFP

Abdul Razzaq pummeled an 11-ball 34 to propel Pakistan to 183, before returning to flatten the New Zealand top order with the new ball, as the visitors stormed to a 103-run victory in the third Twenty20 in Christchurch. Razzaq capitalised on some inexperienced death bowling from Adam Milne to hammer 31 from the last nine deliveries of the innings, and picked up three wickets for 13 as New Zealand imploded dramatically, effectively surrendering the game within the first three overs of their chase.

The chase was derailed almost before it had begun as the top four batsmen all collected ducks. Martin Guptill began the catastrophic collapse when he edged Razzaq to point, pushing away from his body with hard hands to one that nipped away a touch. Jesse Ryder turned in his third failure of the series in the following over when he top edged a pull, and Dean Brownlie's decision to sneak a quick single to get off the mark backfired when Shahid Afridi effected a rare Pakistani direct hit. Ross Taylor was unfortunate to be adjudged lbw to one that struck him slightly above the knee roll, but didn't do himself any favours by playing all around the straight delivery. Three overs into the innings, New Zealand had lost four wickets for three runs, and when James Franklin lost his head, and his middle stump, two overs later, there was only one direction the match was heading. New Zealand had made 11 runs for the loss of five wickets from their first five overs. Pakistan were 51 for no loss at the same stage.

Styris resisted bravely, throwing his bat to collect a couple of boundaries over cover in Razzaq's last over, and even swatting a six over midwicket to give the Christchurch crowd something to cheer about, but with the required run-rate tipping 15, and wickets falling regularly at the other end, there was little he could do. Peter McGlashan dragged Abdur Rehman onto the stumps attempting to reverse sweep and Nathan McCullum didn't hang around long, succumbing to Shahid Afridi's straighter one. Styris eventually fell for 45, and Afridi wasted little time cleaning up the tail - an 134 kph arm ball to dismiss Tim Southee first ball being the highlight of his spell. Styris aside, none of the other New Zealand batsmen managed double figures. They made 28 collectively.

Smart Stats Pakistan's 103-run victory margin is the largest in Twenty20 internationals involving two Test-playing sides. New Zealand's total of 80 is their lowest in a Twenty20 international. Their previous lowest was 81, against Sri Lanka earlier this year. The top four New Zealand batsmen all scored ducks, which is the second time this happened. New Zealand were at the receiving end this time, but they inflicted the damage on the previous occasion, against Kenya in a World Twenty20 game in 2007. New Zealand's Powerplay score of 17 for 5 equals their worst performance, in that match against Sri Lanka mentioned above. Abdul Razzaq has become only the seventh player to make a 30-plus score and take three or more wickets in the same Twenty20 match.

Pakistan's impressive total was set up by an explosive opening partnership between Ahmad Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez, who blasted 81 in 8.4 overs to set pulses racing at the AMI stadium. Shehzad in particular, was quick to punish anything on a length, peppering the midwicket boundary repeatedly, while also driving through the covers when the ball was pitched up. Hafeez too got into the action scooping Mills over the shoulder for four, before unfurling a wristy swat that sent the ball sailing over deep square-leg a few overs later.

The introduction of slow bowling into the attack did the trick for New Zealand though, as both openers perished attempting to maintain the frenetic scoring rate, and three more wickets followed soon after. Younis Khan was run out, attempting a suicidal single, Asad Shafiq was caught on the boundary after having used up 15 deliveries for his 8 and Shahid Afridi departed for a quickfire 14.

Umar Akmal kept Pakistan ticking with some intelligent hitting, but it was Abdul Razzaq who boosted the visitors' total and swung the momentum decidedly Pakistan's way with a brutal display of power hitting. Razzaq swung in the V, launching Tim Southee twice over midwicket before taking on Milne in the last over. Razzaq smoked the short deliveries over cover, and sent the fuller ones racing along the ground to the boundary, and 19 runs came off the last five deliveries, despite Milne's best efforts to vary the pace and find the blockhole. -Cricinfo