Dismay in Pakistan after former captain Shahid Afridi announces decision to draw stumps on career

Dismay in Pakistan after former captain Shahid Afridi announces decision to draw stumps on career
from correspondents in Lahore, Pakistan
AFP May 31, 2011 10:21PM
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Shahid Afridi ... 'I will not play under this set-up of the PCB which has treated players roughly.' Source: AAMIR QURESHI / AFP
Pakistan greats expressed dismay 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.

"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.

Former 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," said Wasim.
"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."

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.

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

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

PCB 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.

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.