Cricinfo - Blogs - Pak Spin - Afridi out: a triumph of stupidity

Not entirely a bad decision, I'ld say. With his recent form, Afridi has become some kind of a gamble. And his bowling is not much to speak of. In the Champions trophy, Hafeez proved himself to be a better bowler. Malik is also a better option than Afridi. Razzaq is a must have for ODIs. That leaves no place for Afridi. I think it was not a bad decision at all. Kamran, please avoid hyperboles. While a debate on this issue - or any issue, for that matter - is a healthy activity, it's uncalled for to disparage every decison of the board or the selection committee the way you did.

Pakistan have probably lost Asif, and Shoiab already from they World cup. They are about to discard Afridi, all you need now is someone to tell Inzamam he is woefully out of form, and Yousef that he scores to slowly in the ODI format!! Lose all your match winners, and then the selectors can be the stars!!! Decent players not dippy diplomats, that's what Pakistan cricket needs! Afridi has spirit and fight, not to mention a certain amount of talent! Don't judge him by his failure in seaming English conditions. No body doubts his talent, this could have been the perfect series to sort his head out!

Correct decision .. He hasn't been performing. On top, He hasn't regained form even in the domestic circuit. What do we expect. Its better to have Yasir Hameed in the team as a specialist batsman as Pakistan already has performing all rounders in Shoaib Malik, Mohd Hafeez and Abdul Razzaq. This is a wake up call for Afridi .. fight for your spot !

I usually acquiesce with Kamran on issues pertaining to team selection and other cricketing issues. However, I think Kamran has it wrong this time. Castigating the board just for the sake of criticism and trying to stir up a mind boggling debate, is something I think Kamran should avoid. Afridi afterall, has been given ample chances to prove his worth in the international arena. And though, no one questions his astounding talent or his innate ability to smash decent balls for sixes, fact is he needs to do alot more to cement his place in the side. Simply put, Afridi has been a major disappointment. As Zahra, has appropriately pointed out, we need more than just an enterntainer! The board or the selection committee had to set a precedent. No one can their place in the team for granted by virtue of their image or their once in a blue moon performances.

Hang on a minute. I'm not "castigating" the board for the sake of an artificial debate. I do really--and you may consider me deluded for holding this view--believe that Afridi must to be in the one-day squad to give him a chance to rediscover his international form. Conditions in this series will be ideal for him to regain his confidence. He is a match-winner and as Tahir Saleem observed, Pakistan are fast running out of them--unless of course Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar make a dramatic comeback. I don't see any fresh thinking or solutions in the latest squad. Selection is one area that the cricket board has failed to cover itself in glory for many years, and I make no apologies for continuing to point it out.

It would be insane to call this decision, dropping Shahid Afridi, a shocker. Perhaps I think that he should have been dropped earlier to give some other specialist young talent much more needed practice before South Africa and then the World Cup. I agree Afridi had his days of glory and on his day could turn the tables single handedly. But cricket is the game of talent, consistency and maturity. He certainly does not lack the talent but the latter two have post questions throughout his career. And I would dis-agree again if you'd argue about the size of his name in Pakistan cricket. Well, we saw what happened when PCB could'nt drop Razzaq from the test side considering it may post too many questions regarding the size of his name. I whole heartedly agree with this stern decision taken by PCB to go for the form not the name. How did you think Australia became leaders of the game?

Like someone said, Afridi can win a match if he fires with the bat, is our best fielder (saves 25 runs at least in the field) and is a good ODI bowler and has won matches for us with the ball. If he can win 2 out of 10 matches with his bat singlehandedly and fail in all the rest, I think he justifies his place. I mean, what are the other 10 players there for ?? I think Afridi has suffered from his own brilliance by attracting unreasonable expectations from us fans. If Afridi comes into any decent form with the bat over the next few months, he will make Pakistan proud. Leave him out now, and he's pretty much useless if he get selected for the WC - which he probably will knowing the PCB !!!

Could not agree with you more. Being a selector is a full time job, who spends time watching every player at Domestic level in the ground. Not some one who sits on an executive chair and makes a decision by just watching TV.

In my personal opinion, i think it was a wise decision to drop Shahid from the series because he is totally out of form.if he was included in the squad and didn't perform then that would have demaged his confidence even more. 1 thing we shouldn't forget is Pakistan really need him for the world cup.Now atleast he wil play domestic cricket and hope fully gain his confidence and form back and be ready for the world cup. Anotha POINT I WOULD LOVE TO MENTION is that its jus not Afridi's fault that he didn't perform well this year. Mangement including the captain who make the decsions about the bating order have also contributed in his downfall.we all know he is eitha good at top of the order (if he gets goin) or at lower middle order so y dont you u jus keep him at one position.Y IS HE ALWAYS TRIED AT ALL THE DIFFERENT BATIN POSITION?1 match he opens, the next he bats at no7 n then da match afta he opens again.I mean hes bin messed around wiv so many times which has really reduced his confidence and damaged.Now can some body answer 1 of my questions. Was sendin afridi in at no5 against srilanka in icc champ trophy a wise decision? and thats especially when sri lanka had murli n jayasuriya (spinners) , their best bowlers on the day, on? All i wana say to the PCB is they have made a good decision by dropping him so he can gain confidence and his form back in domestic cricket but once he is back in the Pakistan team, then PLZ PLZ PLZ Let him play at one position, dont make him QURBAANI KA BAKRA all the time!There isn't many players like afridi in the world and we r loosin a great player by makin decisions which dont make much sense, Management!

as copied from crici info "...just 114 runs from 17 matches at an average of just over eight..."

you perform you play.......you don't perform you get dropped.......case closed

afridi afridi afridi!!! dont we all love him.
i have to say i am one of the biggest afridi fans around.

i couldnt wait for afridi to come out and if someone else was sent before him to bat i would get upset, but when he did come out he has dissapointed alot too!!

i was surprised at his exclusion. but it was predicatable. how long can you keep underperforming and expect to be picked for the team. south africa & australia both would not keep a player in there squad who has been underperforming for so long.

afridi needs coaching and discipline he has huge talent but he needs to put it in use rather then play rash shots and throw it away.

i hope he rediscovers his form and makes it back in to the squad all the beast afridi.

we will be waiting for your return to the squad and also your return....

In cricket only 11 players are allowed on the field.Hence it is important Pakistan select their best team.At the moment in one dayers Pakistan s selecting a team which is good but still too many allrounders kill a position for a genuine specialist bowler.Afridi i believe is a player to be in the squad and he or Razzaq should be selected in the team on the basis of the conditions.Now that Pakistan don't have many wicket taking bowlers it would be wise to play Kaneria.Also, I feel Pakistan find it tough to take wickets after the powerplays so this inclusion could definitely help the cause of keeping up the pressure on opposition teams after pressure has been caused by the pacers.However it would have been better if it was not at the expense of Shahid Afridi.

Further to my post at 1.50pm I would just add that it's the naivety of our cricket supremo's that frustrates me and their arrogance that makes my blood boil!! I apologise for dwelling on the 'Oval' fiasco again, but Sheheryar Khan's interview straight after, his subsequent press conference comments i.e. about damage to the ball being caused by sixes from Pietersen's bat. Then there was Naseem Ashraf standing outside the dressing room giving it the 'thumbs up', Pakistan are ready to play....without the full realisation of the actual situation. Then the teams gets told to be careful about its public display of everyday Islamic practices. You wonder how they get away with it!! Just because you succeeded in another field doesn’t automatically qualify you as an authority on cricketing ( or even moral ) issues, particularly when player's careers and livelihoods, and a nation's passion are on the line. The significance to this debate is that they may well still take him to the World cup, without playing in this series. It's not logical, but it might just be their logic!

there have been a lot of comments about how shahid afridi is a match winner. i totally disagree with this comment, inzamam,yousef, razzaq....they are match winners. i could probably count on my two hands how many times afridi has won pakistan a one day match. Its one thing having talent its another thing fulfilling your talent. he has no application in his batting...every time he walks to the crease you expect him to hit one six and get out and he rarely disappoints. if pakistan needed 50 of 40 balls in the world cup final...no body would want shahid afridi to come to the crease to win it for pakistan.

he has been given to many opportunities to prove himself and he has failed. 233 one day matches at an average of 23. how can anybody call him a match winner!

Can't agree with you there Kamran. After being dropped from the tests, Afridi has really worked hard in the domestic level to prove that he deserves his place. More effort from him really won't hurt him. He is capable of so much more then he has provided thus far and the selectors have not dropped him to dent his confidence, but to reinvigorate the fire within him.

This is a smart decision. Afridi clearly has a lot of fans, the good doctor (Abbasi) being foremost among them. But to others he is a pathetic batsman and a long term liability for the team. His record speaks for itself, as others have pointed out. His unique talent lies in his ability to get selected to the team year after year regardless of performance. It is true that on lifeless pitches, against mediocre Indian bowlers, he can hit hard and score quickly, perhaps faster than anyone else. But alas, those occasions are so rare. Most of the time he just thrashes about for a bit, and then gets out, embarrassing himself and the team. These days he does not even seem to be able to reach double figures. And he hardly merits inclusion in the team as a specialist bowler. It is foolish to expect him to make a meaningful and consistent contribution as a batsman.

Question for Farooq..ref 3.43 post.

Whilst I agree with some of your thoughts, if we are talking stats.. how many No 7 or 8's in ODi's do you know who average 23 with the bat, which increases to 27 or so if you filter it to more recent mates ( last 50 or so ). Not to mention his strike rate and no of 6's!!!

Leaving Afridi out is a good thing because of his poor form in recent months. His body langauage was not very positive either. Missing a few games will re-ignite that flame and he can be back for South Africa and the World Cup. Not that Afridi requries too many practice games to get going again. He is one player you can pick and drop anytime.

I can understand why he was dropped for one-day squad but for the test series, it's mind boggling. He has had such a good year in tests, why would you drop him just cuz his one day form has been bad? And then they have the audacity to select Abdul Razzaq in tests when he has performed way worse than afridi.

Mr. Abbasi, I don't think you realize that Pakistan cricket is turning a corner. The days of the "Chowkka-Chhikka-Gilli" cricketers are getting over. It's going back to the basics, back to teamwork, back to being a sport, away from selfish individual play and away from being cheap entertainment. You endorse Tahir Saleem's point of view that Pakistan is fast running out of match-winners. Well, let me remind you that cricket is a team sport. In the end, it's about winning, not about flashy individual performances. If Pakistan has a semblance of a chance in the world cup it will be based on the whole team firing on all cylinders. Australia has not dominated world cricket through some flashy bling bling cheap shots. I am no great fan of Inzamam's captaincy, but I applaud him for having the guts to take some bold decisions. Like you, I am no great fan of the PCB either, but a spade has to be called a spade. As Osman Ali Khairi said, you tend to castigate every decision made by the PCB. For you they're in damned if you do, damned if you don't sort of a situation.

For now, let's celebrate the Mohammad Yousufs and the Umar Guls of Pakistan team. Let's celebrate winning. The hell with the Shoaib Akhtars and Afridis. The hell with bling bling. And the hell with "Chowka-Chikka-Gilli" cricketers.

Reply to: Euceph Ahmed at December 1, 2006 4:16 PM.

Yes, we know cricket is a team game, that's why eleven are picked to play!!
Just remember New Zealand never win anything because they play as a unit. Pakistan won the World cup with what looked a shambolic team, because of the leadership of Imran, and the individual brilliance of 2 players. Within a team you need match winners!

Relax he is no Gilchrist. If you wanna include Afridi, I would drop Younis first.

ODI arena is not the ideal place to find your form. There is a reason we have domestic cricket.

Right on Farooq. Could'nt have said any better. Afridi is over rated. Look at his record. Yes he entertains, he's a crowd pleaser but brings a huge amount on uncertainty with him. Which is unacceptable at the international stage. You talk about professionalism, try your best to convince me that Afridi is a professional campainer, you fail miserabily. The way he throws his wicket puts a humongous amount of pressure on the following batting line up and gifts the opponents an undesserved upper hand. His temperament in the dressing room doesnt help the cause either. He could rightfully earn his place back if he rectifies these problems.

absolute stupidity.Wasim bari and co are devoid of any sense.We fail to understand why PCB has persisted with this dummy,yes man.He has destroyed many a players.On the verge of WC and you drop shahid afridi against WI.Senseless.This is PCB,s mismanagement at best

euceph you maybe have forgottent that these afridis and shoaibs you talk about
are the real entertainers

someone make him understand plz

Tahir, if you think that Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992 by riding on the performances of just a couple players and Imran's captaincy, then I must say that you're being naive. World cup 1992 was one of the few occassions when Pakistan played like a unit and won the tournament as a team not because of any individual performances. Do you seriously think that we would had a slicest of a chance without the likes of Miandad, Rameez, Aamir, Mushy, Akram, Aaquib, Inzy, Imran etc. That was the most balanced team PCB ever came out with. And thats exactly what we need now, a well balanced team. And my friend, for now Afridi doesnt fit into that frame of balance I'm talking about. Maybe later when he sorts out his form and grows a little maturity and sense. But for now, I support the step PCB has taken to follow the form not the name.

For all the talk about Afridi's batting, he has more than made a place for himself in the team on the basis of his bowling and fielding only, not to mention the good cheer and the spirit that he brings to the team. I am not a huge fan of Afridi's batting, even on his best days, because stupidity is always the end of him. Afridi will forever invite criticism if only because he is so prodigiously talented, his gift is also his curse. However, going back to his bowling, Afridi has been a solid operator in this regard. In the last year and a half he has gotten 29 wickets at an average of less than 28, with an economy rate hovering around 4.3. For my money, that is performance solid enough to merit a place in the side, irrespective of what he does with his batting.

As someone else pointed out - the eyes should probably be pointed somewhere else. For instance, it doesn't make much sense to have Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan in the same team. The way Inzamam uses Malik, he is not much of an all-rounder for Pakistan, so lets evaluate both purely in terms of their batting skills.

Since 2005 Afridi has played 42 ODI games in which he has taken 40 wickets at 33.7 rpo and scored 752 runs at an avg of 17.9 and a highest score of 56. How those numbers show him to be a match winner is beyond my understanding. Statistics may deceive at times but they are glaring obvious here. Our star player, talisman, aggressor and match winner is a thing of the past (if it was ever true in the first place). You can be out of form for a few games not for 42. Seeing him play in the games before he was dropped his fielding is also not what it was. The last two Champions Trophy games also confirmed what was becoming fairly obvious that he has no answer to bowling aimed at his head (same goes for Razzaq who should be given the boot next). No team is about to serve up half volleys to him anymore when they know he is so vulnerable to the short ball. And Afridi doesn't have the brain to work at his game because he never had either.

I think we all hoped for the day Afridi would grow up and learn a bit about batting. But unfortunately the day never came and now his time is definitely up.

I think selector have given him more time to play in domestic circuit to get his form back at least for the South African tour and im pretty sure that he will be in the squad for the next series no matter what goes around "its just another PCB thing." Afridi has been given alot of chances and looking at his form in recent times he haven't really performed. And i like Zahra's comment i think its time for us to start looking for a player who is not just a "show-off" but who can also deliver something to the team. Also, i agree that Abdul Razzaq is a must have in the ODI's simply because he is a true match winner. He has won more matches for Pakistan than anybody in the squad in recent times. And Malik is our Mr. Consistent in ODI's he was the only one along with Yousuf to score runs in Champions Trophy so he is a must. I hope this ejection from the team sends Afridi a wake-up alarm because now he will have to fight for his spot.

Although i am an afridi fan,I do think this is the right decision.There seems too a complete lack of professionalism in afridis attitude.We need players who are dedicated too the sport and who spend hours upon hours in practice trying too improve there game and work hard too iron out there flaws.Talent alone can only get you so far we need players with dedication a 100% commitment too team and country.For example Nasser hussain of England was not the most naturally gifted of players.But he spent hours at his fathers indoor coaching clinic a converted shed.spending thousands of hours practicing his game too help get him too the level he did.And as a Captain when he lost form for a while he went back too his fathers indoor gym and spent weeks practising.With the school kids his father coaches.Onus is ultimately on individual players too rectify ther mistakes and seek out individuals who can help them if mohammed yousuf can seek out the help off mushtaq ahmed too help increase his performance.Whats stopping afridi from seeking out the likes off saeed anwar , aamir sohail, rashid latif too help his batting and the likes off mushtaq ahmed,abdul qadeer,saqlain mushtaq, too help improve his spin bowling.I read recently Wasim akram saying that he had through out his career actively sought out the advice off bowlers such as lilee, Holding,Marshall E.t.c. Shane warne stated how he had actively sought the help off Abdul qadeer whilst on a tour too pakistan many years ago and how much that advice had helped improve his performance.On the flip side you Have Danish Kaneria on his site Big star cricket stateing he did not consider it necessary too learn or attend the bowling clinics run by Abdul Qadeer, because he wanted do what was necessary on his own.yet some one as arrogant Shane warne can be humble enough too seek advice.I feel Afridi is not professional in his attitude or dedicated enough too warrant his place in the squad.We need athletes who are willing and humble enough too improve there performance more Umar Guls and Mohammed yOusafs and less Shahid Afridis and Shoaib Akhtars please!!!

People who think that Afridi’s exclusion from the current ODI team might harm the team’s performance in the forthcoming World Cup should consider the champion’s performance in previous World Cups. In the 1999 World cup, he played 8 matches, averaged 13.28 runs (with a highest score of 37). He took 1 wicket (ave 115.00). In the 2003 World Cup he played 3 matches and averaged 5.33. He took 3 wickets (ave 48.00).
And somehow in the 2007 tournament he will blaze the path to our victory??

Its sheer entertainment when Afridi is on song, he is very handy with the ball and a very safe fielder, despite all this he doesn't inspire confidence, he might be a really good choice when we know that we are going to lose so why not include him and he might provide some magic but when the team is reasonably good and requires constant performance then Afridi just doesn't seem to fit. Over the years it was thought that he might become a bit more consistent yet he hasn't, and sometimes the way he plays just doesn't fit.

To win the WC or at least qualify for the advanced stages, we need somebody to perform consistently, and with Afridi things just don't add up, unless ...

Entertainment is one of the greatest Parts of World Cricket.

Admit it or Not! Without "chookas and chikkas" by Afridis and "bling blings" by Shoaib...They there is no excitement in Cricket.

People sit down in front of their televisions for entertainment, if Shahid or Akhtar is there...There is some kind of amusement and thrill going around every where. The Style in these cricketers is hard to find in some other players...though there are some problems with these cricketers. Like all those “Bharam bazi’s” and stuff, but

Akhtar is a killer, can tear down the line Up like anything… While Afridi …. We can always remember him by those 4 sixes in a row with a 4 to Mulitaran and many others like those. He may not be a match winner, though he can slaughter one of the best bowlers in the world. Encore Akhtar and Afridi should be in the team ~~~

Kam, I am starting to like you. Your following statement sums it up all. Your star player, your talisman, your aggressor, your match-winner needs to rediscover his confidence.

Its time that PCB be eradicated from buncha Yes Sirs, and other non cricket people. Alas, only if I was a wizard.

I think Afridi's fate was decided in the Champions trophy where a combination of his own foolish dismissals and Shoaib Malik's success lower down the award resulted in his omission. I personally think it’s a good move; we just weren’t getting enough from him on a regular basis and blindly holding on to the hope that he may come good should not be the basis of selection. I don't see any place for him in the team any more. Malik will get his 6 spot and I think that solidifies the batting whilst still retaining enough bowling options.

Afridi should learn a lesson in order to be in the World Cup.

Rubbish! Afridi is a useless player. He has 1 or 2 innings of substance every 30 matches. We have wasted over 200 ODI's on him already. His time is over. We need specialists and not 'bits and pieces' players. The only reason he is still around is because the public, including yourself, love to see that sparse magic, the uncontrollable pathan fury at work.

However, the public in general, will never get past their impasssionaed support of this pretty useless player.

The selectors have smartly excluded him. Let him play around in the domestic season. Lets see if he can do well, get some control and become reliable.

He is a liability to the team and a hindrance to our winning the WC.

I applaud the the PCB

Spot on Ashaq; Let's wish Afridi and Akhtar a happy and prolonged Bollywood career. Let them negotiate all the billboard revenues they wish now from their corporate sponsors. It'll be nice watching them dancing around the trees chasing sexy chics. THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO IT / MONEY FOR NOTHING, CHICS FOR FREE !!!

I slightly disagree with Mr.Kamran Abbasi that "Afridi should be allowed to re-discover him self" but Why... he is a proffessional player, If he is not in form or if he is not performing even in the Domestic. It is a right decision. No matter he is an asset for pakistan. but he need to go some where else to discover him self before the World Cup.

For avoidance of doubt I am a massive Afridi fan and want him back in the team asap.

However, his exclusion is a blessing in disguise. For some time his performance had become stagnate and a proper break might just re-light that fire.

Remember his performances in both forms of the game when he returned after the 2003 WC drop.

Finally, I feel sorry for Yasir Arafat-those of you who followed his performances for Sussex will know what I mean.

I agree with Zahra. These are ODIs!! If he wants to "rebuild" his confidence, domestic level if perfect for him. Take Australia for example, each player relishes the chance to play for there country and they know, if don’t perform, there are a handful of better players waiting for that gateway to the International arena. Quite frankly he’s had far too much chances to “rebuild” his confidence and has refused to take them! Some time away from ODI’s should be good. (and btw, don’t Pakistan go play SA, before the world cup)

Haha I can't believe this, I wonder how their minds work. This makes no sense, I guess the selectors just wanted to make another record of being the dumbest people on earth...

Afridi is an amazing talent, no doubt. I think its ok to drop these special players when they are out of form, but, it has to be communicated properly to the player.
The insecurities a player can have will be greatly reduced if the bigger picture is communicated. In this case, Afridi should be told about his role in the world cup and given a roadmap for the same. Afridi gets a well deserved break, gets back to basics(someone like Miandad etc can work with him on that) and returns to the team before the world cup.

Vow for the people who are against PCB decision, it's one of finest decision. Dear please look into afridi record first and then talk about any thing else, am sure if u will check his stat's even of last 12 months U will know how correct this decision is from PCB. BY THE WAY what u people think about his attitute specialy for last 6 or 8 months... i have noticed him so many time during live matches and he seemed as if he has no interest in the match and it looks as if he is playing any club match ... so still do u people think he is an asset, he is a match winner, yep he was but not anymore, SORRY.

No, this a good decision. Although you call him our talisman, I have seen Afridi fail more times than he has wowed us. Through this test series, Pakistan has gain some good groove, and selecting Afridi would probably disturb this. You must select a team based on the combination, and I was fully satisfied with the combination of players that was selected, I think it is very solid. And I think it is not fair to select Afridi if he has not been performing domestically. If Afrid had been selected do you honestly think that he would magically regain form which he doesn't even have in domestic cricket. No, it would just be another signal to him that he can float on his star-power. No, we should not allow Afridi to float on by anymore. We will not put up with his flaky cricket. No one will deny that he is the most talented player on the squad, but the message is clear, perform, consistently! I would honestly trade in some of his great many amazing sixes for consistent and smart innings from him. Let me emphasize my most important point, he is out of form, his selection is not justified. Although you might find justification through his potential, the message must now and forever be clear to Afridi, selection on performance, not on potential. I am in great hopes that Afridi gets this message, applies himself, regains form, plays smarter, and becomes the destroyer he should be.

reply to: Ali Asim at December 1, 2006 4:59 PM

Hi Asim, Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Yes.. all our World cup winners from 1992 were always going to have a special place in history. Let me take you back all those years, when we were being humbled in the opening matches of the 1992 world cup, rain saved us against England when Pak were all out for about 70! Others did us a favour and we got through to the semi's ( fairly regular for Pak teams in world cup ). Eden Park, v NZ...Inziman resucues a lost cause ( guided by Javed ). The final, Inzimam and Wasim upped a painfully slow run rate, and then 'THOSE TWO BALLS' from Wasim...remember now? Of course Javed was the best Pak batsman ever, and Aqib, Mushy and co did well, but believe me if it wasn't for the individual brilliance of Inzi and Wasim, you would just remember them like all our other semi losing teams. What you need is someone like Imran to harness such talent and get them playing as a unit. Don't get me wrong, I don't particularily rate Wasim, Shoaib, Afridi or even Imran ( post cricket however he does seem to be totally transformed ) etc as characters..from what I hear and read, but be fair...with the right people in charge that's the important bit ), they would win you all the matches you want. In summary, get the best eleven, and then get the right man to get 100% out of the those eleven.

Dears, Itis really a bad decesion from PCB becouse Afridi is a Man who perform many times for Pakistan and he have a capability to do something worth watching again if he gain the confidence from the selection board , skipper and coach and secondly Afridi's performance in Wasim Akram's time was really good only becouse of captial's confidence on Afridi. Now Wolmor and Inzi bahi did not give him confidence to play at right position..... So i think so as PCB give chances to Other players evwen Inzamam during their bad time , Afridi should deserve one chance in Home series.

The rule should be that you perform you play. If you are out of form, go play domestic cricket, rediscover your form and claim your spot again. You can not be in the team based on your previous acheivements. Afridi is playing domestic cricket but has not discovered his form yet. I still remember his last game against South Africa where he just threw his wicket. Pakistan were 6 down for 27 runs, Afridi came into bat and played like he is in a hurry to go somewhere. He was on the crease for 8 balls, tried to hit every ball out of the ground, missed 4, hit 1 six and 1 four, made 14 runs, and back to his merry way to the pavilion. Any street cricketer would have played more sensibly then him. Is this the kind of attitute you need from a professional cricketer. This Guy and some other like him take their spot in the team forgranted. No pride in playing for your country. They need to realize that its an honour to play for your country. Whatever they have become (legend, etc.), its because of playing for your country. Hopefully some sence prevail in him soon.

Afridi do not have any place in the team. We all wait for Afridi to come at the crease and what does he do, he plays strangely. Remember the World cup 2003, first match against Australia. Pakistan needs to chase 310 runs and Mr Afrid comes to opens the innings and tries to block the ball, no hitting at all. Afridi makes his mind to hit or block even before the ball is delivered. We got enough all rounders, if we want a batsman who can play very fast, then Imran Nazir is the best option.

Afridi has not been named in the squad for the first match and not for the entire series.Besides his utterly disappoiting of late he seems to have developed attitude problem.Is'nt a fact that both both Afridi And Razzaq have lived upto expectation despite a regular place in the team.Azhar Mahmood has been sidelined because ofAfridi and Razzaq and he is definitely a better batsman and all surface player.Let afridi and razzaq perform and find a place in the team

When he is in we want him out, and when he is out we want him in.... things need to change....

I personally never liked afridi's style of batting. All he does is close his eyes and start hitting the ball without even settling down first. He should learn from adam gilchrist who has the same style of batting as afridi but plays his innings very sensibly. Afridi only plays for himself and not for the country, he plays to make the crowd happy not to win matches for us. He never stays through the end of the innings (if you have ever noticed). Sometimes his tukka's work and people start liking him. I totally agree with the PCB decision to drop him and i wouldn't be surprise if he doesn't make it to our WC team, actually i will be glad if that happens. Although, i hate couple of decisions that PCB made is that they brought back Naved and sami in the team. It is absolutely certain that Naved is not a good bowler anymore, he cannot take wickets and gives away 6 runs an over instead. What is the point of bringing him back in the team and on top of that PCB dropped shahid nazir. What the hell? and why would we still want sami in the team when we all know he is going to flat out suck. PCB makes some good decision but in the end they too have no idea on how to put together a championship team

Afridi was not much in my mind when i went through the selection list.
vomiting sensations like Rana and Rao are back for no fault of their own(but of selectors). Shahid Nazir who bowled so impressively throughout the test series got rewarded. their is no youngerster in the team i was hoping that atleast Niazi will get a look in so we can count our bowling options for the world cup if at all their is a weakness its the bowling the Vaccum left by Asif and Shoaib is so big that bunch of these selectors will get complex looking comparing the vaccum they have in their heads. Afridi who travels like a ticketless passenger(nobody knows when he will pull the chain and get down) gets all the attention. i thought disappointment will pour in from all quaters about the selection of Sami, Rana, Rao. can't these regressive and defensive animals think beyond them. oh sorry its about Afridi, so he is not in the team. how often do you blink to miss him.

“I do really- And you may consider me deluded for holding this view—believe that Afridi must be in the one day squad to give him a chance to rediscover his international form”
Firstly, I believe you are an articulate and eloquent writer with consummate knowledge of the game, a writer whose anecdotes and insight on the game I hold in high esteem. Thus the question of me thinking you are delusional, with regards to giving Afridi an extended run in international cricket, does not emanate. However, one should not be oblivious or ignorant of the ground realities. Afridi has been given enough opportunities to prove himself at the top level. As Obaid fittingly stated, “Since 2005 Afridi has played 42 ODI games in which he has taken 40 wickets at 33.7 rpo and scored 752 runs at an avg of 17.9 and a highest score of 56.” Clearly, these figures do not in any suggest that Afridi has been a regular match winner for us the in past three-four years. In addition, when you consider the total number of games that Afridi has played, it clearly delineates that Afridi has not been adept at learning from his mistakes. What makes you feel or believe that further chances against a West Indian side that is shaping up well (by virtue of its recent ODI performances), will aid him in rediscovering his international form? I strongly believe in a system of meritocracy and perseverance with Afridi only erodes the credibility of such a system.

“I don't see any fresh thinking or solutions in the latest squad.”

Secondly, I am not a staunch advocate of the capricious and ludicrous selection policies that have been pursued by the Pakistani selectors. As a corollary, I along with many others assent ( As evident from the posts in your previous blog ) with your views on how, “Selection is one area that the cricket board has failed to cover itself in glory for many years”. Nevertheless, recalling Mohammad Sami and Rana in the absence of Shoaib and Asif and in the context of our scanty resources, is a step in the right direction. Doesn’t that constitute sound thinking in your book? Also, continuing with Imran Farhat and Hafeez at the top of the order, though I am yet to be convinced of Farhat’s potential, reflects some degree of consistency in the selection policy of the board.

It is not the first time that Afridi has been omitted, nor it may be the last. However, good or bad as it may turn out, the selectors do need to address a few issues, not least the number of all rounders that can sensibly be included in the playing 11. It seems ridiculous to play Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi all at the same time. At least one of them has to be omitted. And let's not forget that the ODI team that has been selected is only for the first match. I have a hunch that Afridi will be picked for one or more of the subsequent matches. Stupidity would indeed have won if this does not happen.

Ammaa Abbasi sahid AAj baray chul bullay ho rahay hain! But seriously you can quote any an all statistics and or nuances into the decision of not including Afridi. The fact of the matter is shorty ain't do'in the job. You cannot allow any player (except Mr. Potato) to find his form during international matches. No sir! no can do. I'll go ahead and chalk this one for the PCB.

I here people saying above, that Afridi should not be in the team because of his poor form , can anyone justify why Razzak has been in the test team for so long with hardly any performances ? or may be Afridi should be more in the social circle of Inzi ?

Afridi is still best Pak fielder and a better bowler than others in the team. He would justify his place on bowling alone , forget about the poor batting form he is in.

What a blow! just like rameez raja says. i think this is a stupid decision GRRRRRRRR!:@!:!@@@

Afridi is very good one day player,an all rounder., It is really don't understand the logic of the selection committee decition., The world cup is approaching and they still leave out Afridi., I think it will definitely affect them noe as well as in world cup

Wasim Bari has done it again. There is no logic to dropping Shahid Afridi. Razzak, Inzi have not performed either in the last few games. I would like Bari to explain. This is the best way of destroying the confidence of younger players. SUrely Bari is not preparing for the World Cup, whatever else he may be thinking

114 runs from 17 matches at an average of just over eight - and a paltry 14 wickets! It's time for Mr. Afridi to play domestic and re-learn how to play cricket. We need a good batsman, not just a handsome face...

i think the selectors did the right thing to leave shahid afridi out of the squad because he is a very inconsistent player. you just cant depend on him. in one match, he will score a century from fifty balls and in the next match he will be out for a duck because he will try to clobber every ball that comes his way. this should serve as a lesson for afridi that he needs to play more responsibly. and plus pakistan can win without him.

i understand what ur saying KA but someone earlier said that afridi has the guts to go for a six off every ball. thats not guts my friend thats stupidity. i was watching highlights recently of afridi in india when JM was a coach. he was hitting cover drives and straight drives on the ground. afridi has every bit the same talent as symonds and dhoni but he has no brains. gilchrist plays quick all the time but he actually looks at the ball and the situation. he was dominating wi in the champions trophy. but when wickets were falling he tried to play through. afridi shudnt just have a license to thrill. he demoralizes the team and the fans with some of his shots. someone shud tell him the law of averages abt hitting the ball in the air and across the line.

Another moronic decision. Everyone, including the selector, know in their heart of hearts that Afridi will be in the world cup squad. Instead of giving him some time out on Pakistani tracks and build some confidence this is what they do.

I blame Woolmer and the captain of Afridi's run of low scores. In Jan 2005 Afridi was used perfectly in the VB series. He batted in the last 10 overs and scored quickfire 30s and 50s consistently, providing the death over blast for which our middle order had laid foundations for. It is amazing how easily they have forgottenn this proven success formula and started experimenting. He has either been sent in the middle of the inning, which doesn't suit his style of play; or at the top of the order where he has rarely been successful because the ball swings and new ball bowlers have figured him out.

Anyway, i bet my bottom rupee he is going to play the world cup.

By the way, Kaneria in the ODI squad based on Kumble's performance in SAF is the joke of the century. I can't stop laughing. I exepct him to be the next bowler to conceded 100 runs in an ODI.

Rana is also in. The stupidity doesn't end. Nice and subtle one Sir :)

It was expected, and what more can you expect from fools who select the team? Time and again they have dropped him, they kept yo-yo-ing his batting order and then expect him to be mentally strong and score big innings.

This bunch of jokers have ruined the careers of players like:
Imran Nazir
Salman Butt
Yasir Hameed
Asim Kamal

And now they are doing the same with Shahid Afridi.

If it is a matter of FORM then
Razzaq
Kamran Akmal
even Inzamam have shown pathetic form

In India, during the Champions Trophy, even YOUNIS KHAN's contribution as a player and as a captain was very pathetic.

It appears that it is NOT JUST FORM but it is more a matter of PERSONAL LIKES AND DISLIKES, and it is simply PPP (PETTY PAKISTANI POLITICS).

What a shame that they are ruining a GREAT TALENT like SHAHID AFRIDI .... shouldn't there be a PETITION TO BRING HIM BACK?

Well, since Kaneria has been selected, no point selecting another spinner. Besides, I can't recall Afridi propeling Pakistan to a victory more than a few times (in about a million matches), so the decision to omit him is justified. Why not give someone else a chance to replace the forlorn hope that we always seem to possess in the multitude?
I thought Nazir's exclusion, and Sami's inclusion, was ridiculous. Some things just can't be learned. What's Malik doing in the test team (as a batsman only) when Asim Kamal is not even selected in the top 14. Baffling.

well its a great shock that afridi is not selected for the first ODI. i think that PCB is not understanding Afridi and his qualities, they are wasting his potentials and this talented player.Every team in the world dream to have Afridi in their teams. But pakistan cricket board is doing unjustice to this guy.

The PCB's decision to drop Shahid Afridi may backfire the team and most importantly his fans.. but to be fair, how can u afford to continue with a player who doesnt perform... to bring to the readers' attention afridi's ODI average since Pakistan's home series against England to the Champion's trophy is a mere 9.80.... so why not give another player a chance who proves to be more promising and offers long term solution to Pakistan's batting line-up.

Who remembers Afridi's last 50 plus score? his last 50 came against the Windies in Carribeans..and since then his batting graph is on a continuos decline.

He may be able to rediscover his form sometimes later....but Pakistan are now on the way to 2007 WC in West Indies and bringing Afridi Back for the SA tour by the year end would be hugely silly of the Pakistani selectors!!!.
Another argument is Afridi's domestic form!!! As he didnt click in the domestic circuit...time is definitely not on his side!!!

But to a certain extent its the fault of the Pakistan's selectors!!...Dropping him @ this stage of the year is really stupid and if he's certainly recalled for the SA tour...Pakistani selectors would repeat the drama they did in the selection process in the WC 2003 as they selected Azhar Mahmood in the squad although he was out of the squad since August 2002..

This is the right decision. In fact, it is the triumph of sensibleness. A truly rational and reasonable decision. Let the culture of stardom take the back seat. Let the team be selected on the basis of current performance rather than putative potential and/or past glory. Let the performers advance and kick the mere showmen out. This decision shows that Pakistani selectors are finally finding the guts to boot the big names after consistent failure. Good job! I'd say.

Further to my earlier comment I would like to add that we in Pakistan have a tendency of suggesting players who should be in the team. No one specifies who these players would replace given it still is an 11 a side game (until ofcourse the ICC in its infinite wisdom decides to screw around with the basics of the game ... again!) It should be considered that Inzamam has to come back into the team and the person from the 11 that played in the ICC Champions Trophy who he should replace has to be Afridi. Razzaq is a close second but he seems to get things right a bit more regularly than Afridi.

Hafeez, Farhat, Younis, Yousuf, Inzamam, Malik, Razzaq and Akmal is a long enough batting line-up. These 8 should really get the job done. Better to take a specialist batsman and bowler in reserve rather than bank on the Afridi lottery.

It is simply baffling to see Shahid Afridi left out of the one day side. Afridi has always been a potent force in the subcontinent pitches. The gentle pace of the West Indies medium pacers would be real fodder for his liking and exactly what the doctor ordered for him to regain his form and vigor. On any given day Afridi can still be a dominant destroyer of opposition bowling and can demoralize any side, especially in the placid batting friendly slow subcontinent pitches. The decisions of Pakistani selectors as well as the top brass have often been inane and quite inconceivable and bewildering.

It is not that pakistan has many great players. Without Shoaib and Asif.You have to hope that Afridi get backs his form.It has to be allout. If Afridi is in form that Just add a big plus to cover inefficiency of bowlers.Politics is everywhere in Pakistan.

I remeber qoute from an old Irish boxing trainer.He said champions are not created in tournaments or in front off roaring crowds, they are created away from the limelight.In the gymnasiums where endless , boring and mundane hours are spent in repetition.that is you repeat youre technique over and over again day in day out until it becomes second nature.Countless hours watching tapes off past and present greats on video.and trying too replicate every tachnique every move and every reflex off those individuals in practice.The public ultimately only see the end result off those countless hours off blood sweat and tears.It is through this kind off desire ,discipline and dedication that can propel an sportsman off average talent too greatness.Whilst a sportsman May have abundance off natural talent and be truly gifted.If they lack this desire and dedication they will never achieve the same heights. "pakistan have the most natural talent and abundance off gited players" is a remark that ive heard repeated by commentators from across the world for the last ten years yet it is Australia who have dominated.Indeed greatness and world domination can never be achieved in the Night Clubs and the Casinos off the world.It is created by what Napoleon Hill called "The burning desire too win" The ability too triumph in the face off adversity.IT is the same burning desire that helped mohammed yousaf,come from very humble background and reach the pinnacle.OR Umar Gul too overcome stress fractures in his back indeed it is a miracle that he is not crippled let alone playing for his country.It is the same Burning Desire that helped Shaid Nazir too patiently persevere in domestic cricket and regain his spot in the national squad when most others would have given up hope .These are the true heros.Whilst the likes off Afridi and Akhtar my have great talent they seem too lack the burning desire.Many an Athletes career has been ruined by fame fortune and the trappings that go with it.But a sportsman can overcome the challenge off superstar status.We dont need too look any further than jahanghir khan the great squash player.He did not lose a match for five years and won over 500 matches in a row.If only the playboys in the cricket squad had a fraction off his desire.The passion and pride displayed by Nazir is truly heroic.We need more individuals like him Gul and YOusaf if are ever too overtake the australians.I truly hope Afridi can improve but ive not seen him even try too rectify his defects in ten years I doubt I ever Will.

Is Afridi the only Player avaiable i Pakistan.Lets get simle and straightforward.If one is not performing well for a long time he whould nt be selected and a chance should be given to the others who have performed well in the domestic circuit.
We have many chaps in the Row.Shahid Yousaf, Faisal Iqbal and others all are are capable of performing well than Afridi, so Why to stick with unpredictable & non-consistant Afridi.
We dont need a few big hits and then getting out in foolish manner and putting the team in pressure,we need some one who can take the team along with him to the winning post.

I agree with Kamran it was a poor decision especially for the reason mentioned in Kamran's piece, this is Pakistan, this is his home territory and conditions are very much like the windies. The intelligent thing to do would have been to play him in all the matches here and possibly leave him out of the SA series, and let him play domestic cricket to keep him confidence up. But that has not been the only poor selection, Shahid Nasir must be wondering what he has to do to get a ODI place. And Akmal must be thinking he can do anything and still keep his place. 11 wickets at 28 and tight controlled bowling all througout the series should have gtd. Nasir (the last letter of alphabet does not work on my keyboard, courtesy of my 2 yr. old!) a shot. For some reason the selectors have pegged him a test bowler without ever trying him in an ODI since his comeback. He deserved a shot in the first two and if he did not work out then Rana could have been recalled, he has done nothing special in the Patrons Trophy. We desperately need a back up keeper. My vote would go to Mohd. Salman who went with Pak A for the top end series, looking at the stats there his keeping seemed pretty efficient (in an innings of over 500 he only let 2 byes go) and I saw him play for Faisalabad in the 20-20 championship in England 2 summers ago and was impressed by his keepinng.

Grow up Kamran! planning for future doesnt in any way implies that you pick a player who fires 1 out of 10 times. Pakistan team has enough alrounders and dont need shahid who i would hav chosen only for his bowling nothing else and as that department is covered no need to pick him.

well said obaid ( in ure second post)

Its simply stupid...
Pakistan has the most blanced ODI team in the world. The only problem they have ahd over the past one year in their ODI side is of openers.

Just look at this team
Imran, Hafeez, Malik, Younis, Yousuf, Inzamam, Afirdi, Razzaq, Akmal, Gul, Rana, Rao, Faisal Iqbal and Yasir Arafat.

and Look at the options you have based on the above

Opners: Imran, Hafeez, Malik, Afridi
Middle Order: Malik, Younis, Yousuf, Inzi, Faisal
All Rounders: Afridi, Razzaq, Malik, Hafeez, Arafat, Akmal
Bowlers: Gul, Rana, Rao, Arafat, Afridi, Malik, Hafeez

Who is the silly guy behind this attempt of taking 3 years of efforts from Wollmer, Inzi and Co in preparing the most balanced side based on the avilable talent?

I am sure Woolmer and Inzi have not been consulted on this!!!

i think it is good for pakistan and also good for afridi to he was thinking that he is bone of pakistan but i think now he will think about performance not only big and bad shots he dont know what is situation and how it handled it

I think Afridi should now consider retirement from one-day cricket as well.

It was not the fact that he hasnt been able to hit the ball as far, Its just that his shot selection was worse than ever before. He is one player who seems to learn nothing from experience.

Thus, this drop puts Afridi in his rightful place even if we do need him to play for us in the world cup. Since, hoicks accross the line off the first ball of an innings are not signs of lack of confidence but signs of overconfidence. I hope this turns out to be a correct decision and Afridi is able to bounce back.

The South Africa tour could be a chance for him as he has considerable experience of playing in South Africa in the domestic circuit. But why consider that - he never does seem to learn from his experiences.

Strange selection. Whatever it may be but this team is not a buildup to WC-07. Again no proper planning for WC. There is no place for Afridi, fine. but what Younis, Sami, Rao & Naveed are doing there? any guess.

The Afridi fizz has gone away and also he is no more a novelty. Pietersen, Justin Kemp, Gilchrist, Dhoni, Sehwag have shown that in order to make a match winning formula common sense is to be mixed with aggression. Afridi is made up purely of the latter.

PCB’s has also made a myopic decision by not including Shahid Afridi in the ODI squad. If the “Cricket fuedals” want Pakistani team to excel at the World cup then they ought to groom and prepare players like Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt & Co by providing them proper coaching and playing opportunities. Shahid Afridi not only provides a physiological advantage against opponents but also possess the “Turbo Charger” potential to put his stokes in stratosphere and win matches.

I feel that Afridi had a very good opportunity in the Champions Trophy to prove himself as a mature all-round cricketer & cement his position in the ODI team. He had the No.5 spot(in the absense if Inzy) & his quota of 10 overs were to his disposal if he chose to bowl them economicaly. But despite being a die-hard fan of Afridi, I felt that he let the country down. He was a senior member of the squad & his poor/rash shot selection vs S.L; when Malik & Razzak eased Pakistan to victory & the panic mode vs S.A. was quite indicative of the fact that he had not matured as a batsman and is still unable to carry the team in times of crises. So now, I do feel that the board's decision to drop Afridi was justified. The only other issue is that if Afridi is in the plan's for the upcoming World Cup, then this decision might backfire, but if the board is selecting purely on merit, a fair call. Will miss you Shahid!!! Let's hope you perform well in the domestic circuit & prove your critics wrong. However, at the end of the day, the emotions of a possible triumphant Pakistan should heal the loss of "Boom Boom Afridi".

this is a decision that has nothing to do with cricketing matters and will only further undermine the confidence of a potentially explosive cricketer.

Man almost everyone admire Afridi, we just cant leave him out just like that...he is a must in the team...excellent fielder, excellent wicket taker but cant say anything about his bowling. I agree with Zain and Mr. Javed A.Khan they both presented really good views.

But i beleive Afridi Should learn something for being left out from this coming Pak/WestIndies series. I hope he can practice more and more in nets.

Certainly its a stupid decision, what selector not understand is there is a clear differnce between Test Cricket and One Day cricket, they are weighing Afridi's contributions in Tests to make a decision for One Day which shows the lack of professionalism of our selectors. I am totally agree with your opinion about Afridi and he should be given a chance on his home soil and average attack to come out from his bad form. Further, I have not seen any worst display of wicket keeping as shown by Kamran Akmal during Karachi Test. It seems that there is no other wicket keeper available in the country, the more shameful it becomes when we see the chairman of the selector himself was a seasoned wicket keeper. I request to the authority whoever he is to immediately appoint a better wicket keeper to end our pain of seeing such a pethetic display by our national wicket keeper.

I am quite fascinated by people who use the word "form" when describing his recent performances. I always thought it was on pure chance, like throwing a die, that he scored his runs. Enough of his foolishness. I understand that he is a star and attracts people, but according to a fair theory of justice people would be in the team on the basis of their merit. What about the other who is left out despite his better performances? We expect the PCB to select a winning team, a fair team based on the merit of players, yet we consistently compromise that sense of fairness by supporting ineffective players because of our biases? Another example: Mohammad Sami for Shahid Nazir. No-one bothered to question that decision?

Good decision,finally the team will play true cricket like the way it should be played.Look at the Lance Klusner,much better player than Afridi,has been left out.We serioulsy need selection on merit.He deservs to be dropped.

I totally agree with you, Kamran! Afridi must not be left out from ODI side. He bowls, bats and fields. He always takes wickets, if the issue is with his battting form which I think is bc of batting order. He must bat low down the order. I urge PCB to rethink their decision. Pakistan need Afridi in ODI side!!!!

A player like Afridi should be judged based on one year bad form.we should not forget his past years contribution to the Pakistan team.

Accepted that the selection committee is full of morons and consumate dorks, they did make a bold decision regarding Afridi this time around. Razzaq is a far more consistent performer as compared to afridi. Even if one talks about tests, at the end of the day Razzaq attempts to justify his position by scoring runs and taking wickets as he did against the windies unlike Afridi who probably takes things for granted. His consistent underperformances don't help his case either. What use can u derive from a player whose 50 comes after 50 failures? His bowling isn't good enough to justify his place in the team either.

All other selection decisions are crazy but this one, i don't have much objections against it.

well said Umair Jafri RIYADH

one day cricket wouldnt be one day cricket without the BLING BLING SHOAIBS and AFRIDI

please people stop hating just show support

i am an afridi fan i am dissapointed with his perfomances but he needs discpline thats all.

AFRIDI and SHOAIB are the most exciting to watch when in full flow. i am very sure people who like boring cricket wouldnt agree.

inshahallah afridi will find his form and fullfill his potential and talent....

MR EUCEUPH AHMED
i read some of your comments which are good on previous posts but i disgagree with you here man

ONEDAY cricket is at its best when its all about fours,sixes,yorkers and stumps flying around

after all we do need these BLING BLING SHOAIBS AND BLING BLING AFRIDIS if you apreciate one day cricket......

Kamran, couldn't agree more.

I really don't know a lot about Afridi but I was on holiday in Barbados in May 2005. I was able to see the West Indies play Pakistan in Bridgetown. That's the only time I have seen Afridi bat. It was an amazing hundred that had us spellbound. When he was out, after peppering the crowd with half dozen sixes, I thought the gods themselves would weep.

there are two questions to be answered here, not one.

(1) should afridi have a place in the side on an ongoing basis. &
(2) should he have been selected for the first odi vs. the windies.

the answer to (1) is a resounding yes. in terms of intrinsic talent afridi is one of the best hitters of this generation. he is only 26(ish) and has the better part of a decade ahead of him. to argue that the answer is no is to suggest that the system (himself, captains, coaches, selectors, administrators and to some extent the public) has given him the best shot possible, and collectively allowed a tragic and almighty waste of talent.

some might argue afridi has been given enough opportunities. perhaps. but merely being given a number of opportunities does not mean the system has given him the best chance to succeed. enough has been written about his firebrand nature. now add to that the monstrous weight of expectations from a man who was good enough to eviscerate 100 from 37 in his first international innings. you get a special player, who needed a balanced, consistent and nurturing environment, strong, nay very strong leadership and handling with the utmost care.

what you don't get is a man who should have been given endless chances and scant guidance. especially when those chances were no more than a position on the fringes of a merry-go-round of captains, coaches, regimes, policies, match-fixing, heavy-handed intervention and general chaos that ran pakistan cricket for a decade.

as obaid correctly points out, his returns over any reasonable timeframe are debatable at best. however, this cannot be an argument to banish afridi forever. instead it is a wake up call to the system to get its act together and think about how to get him to sustainably perform in line with his natural talent.

question (2) is largely irrelevant in the larger context. there are several arguments to drop him for only the first game. the foremost being a good kick up the arse.

the more general question (2a), should he be picked for the entire series, is probably what got the good doctor Abbasi fuming. i don't know enough about the situation to know the right answer. (and i am not sure most people do.) but i sincerely hope the decision will be made as part of a balanced, logical, open-minded effort to get the best out of afridi in the medium and long term. it would be a tragic loss if it weren't.

If this is a question of merit...then why are the following players with the relevant weaknesses included:

1-Inzy : Only one fifty in three test innings to show for his selection
2-Abdul Razzaq: one innings of 80 with Yousuf in the 2nd Test and failing ODI performance since Champions Trophy match vs Sri Lanka
3-Kamran Akmal: this underperformer needs to leave NOW !! --terrible and shameful performances since the begginning of this year especially the England tour and continuing with club level wicket keeping uptill the current series...it seems to the rest of the world that we are not producing quality wicket keepers while gems like Asim Kamal rot under the banner of selection favoritism and dual standards
4-Rana Naved: His time is over...let younger players take his place or else we are risking not infusing new blood into the side prior to the world cup
5-Shoaib Malik: continued failure in batting and bowling --just a couple of good catches to justify his selection ---mind boggling
6-Imran Farhat: extremely erratic and unreliable ...could not convert even one of his 50s into a hundred...MANY DROPPED CATCHES AND MISSED RUN OUT OPPORTUNITIES...gotta make way for someone more reliable
7-Danesh Kaneria: Are you kidding me ??? why are we selecting him in ODIs. His role should be limited to Tests only as a specialist spinner, Pakistan could easily utilize an all rounder in his place.

The above group cited, should made to work for their selection rather than handing it over to them on a plate and ONLY then will it be all fair all merit...until then its a farce.. pure hypocrisy and nothing else.

In One-Dayers the trend is to go with All-rounders and not speaclist spinners...

Afridi can more than comfortably justify his inclusion in the team (regardless of whatever form he is in) in place of either Kaneria, Rana, Shoaib Malik AND even Abdul Razzaq.

Crowds through out Pakistan come to witness Afridi and his sheer explosiveness and I have personally witnessed poeple literally vacate stadiums at very onset of an Afridi's innings coming to an end. Although a disturbing trend but highly significant especially from a "marketing the game" perspective and PCB only will loose on the possible revenue streams and widespread interest that could have been generated by inlcuding Afridi here. This would have also been the right time just before the world cup to get Afridi regain his confidence ...BUT as I have said on countless forums and discussion groups...this selection committee or any...as long as they are coming from ex-military, ex-diplomat backgroiund or if they are Musharraf's sidekicks like the current group of Ashraf and company...it will only get worse when it comes to selecting a team for Pakistan.

i dont agree with the dropping of shahid afridi from the text matches nevermind the odi's the reason for this is pakistan wanted to play all thier games on a spining track all the pitches were made keeping danish in mind, so the obvious thing to do would have been that have another genuin spinner in the team in case danish had a bad day, which he had a few of. there are other couple of part time spinners in the team who didnt bowl enough, partly because inzimam doesnt have enough faith in them. another reason is i think honestly believe shahid is a better test batsman then razzaq and shoib malik. and now coming to the one day series. if u look at the best performances afridi has given in the past have been when he opened the batting, so why not give him the chance to open, I dont think pakistan have given him enough chances to open the innings in the recent past, and i think come the world cup he would be our best choice to open. he his performances in the last year series would back my claim. i hope others are thinking in the same line as me and hopefully he will be back in the squad soon