- Inzamam-ul-Haq is hopeful of seeing Pakistan regain the number one spot in the ICC test rankings from India
KARACHI: Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq on Saturday said his domain is to select a player rather than giving a farewell in reply to a question regarding Shahid Afridi’s future.
Afridi had made headlines last month with his demand for a farewell match during the three-match T20 series against the West Indies which Pakistan went on to clean sweep. Afridi’s desire, however, was not satisfied by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Talking to reporters during a press conference at the National Stadium, Karachi after announcing the 14-member squad for the day-night Test against the West Indies, which starts from October 13, Inzamam said: “Every person who has played 18-20 years for Pakistan is mature enough to decide till when he has to continue. I can only select a player and cannot give him a farewell.”
The former Test captain, who was honoured with an enclosure being named after him at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore during his last Test match, added: “Afridi is in contact with the board on the issue and the PCB also believes that there should be a proper exit for a person who has served Pakistan this long.”
A tweet from PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi last month raised speculation that Ajmal and fellow veteran Afridi were set to announce their retirement from the international game.
But Ajmal says he’s still desperate to force his way back into the national set-up, 18 months since he last represented his country, and pointed to his starring role in the recent National T20 Cup as proof that he should be given another chance.
In a recent interview on a private TV channel, Afridi revealed that the logic behind his demand is to establish a tradition of honouring legends. – Agencies
