No farewell for Shahid Afridi in an international match, says PCB selector Aamir Sohail
Pakistan selector Aamir Sohail admitted that it makes no sense to give Shahid Afridi a farewell international match citing Pakistan’s inability to host international matches. Instead, the PCB is willing to offer him a farewell match in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The former Pakistan skipper said that a farewell match should be played in front of the home crowd and the chances of playing an international match in Pakistan in the near future looks bleak. Sohail also said that Afridi’s request should not be entertained. An exhibition game in Pakistan or a game dedicated to Afridi at the PSL would make more sense if he needs one.
While speaking to PakPassion.net, Sohail said, “Now let’s be honest here and recognize the fact that Afridi has served Pakistan well in the past. However, let us also remember that Afridi has announced his intention to retire on a number of occasions which doesn’t help his case. On top of that, when a player wants to play a final game, he would like to play that match in front of home crowds. Since there is no international cricket being played in Pakistan at the moment, how exactly will he have a farewell game in front of a home crowd? There is absolutely no sense in an international retirement game for Afridi and one hopes that better sense prevails on all sides.”
Also read: Inzamam-ul-Haq in favour of a farewell for Afridi
Sohail also added that Afridi should have personally asked the PCB for a farewell match instead of putting it out in front of the media.
“There is no doubt that Shahid Afridi feels strongly about being awarded a special farewell but surely the better way would have been to go in private to the PCB instead of playing this out in front of the media and thereby putting himself and the PCB in a very difficult position. That way if the PCB had declined his request, he could have shrugged his shoulders and moved on which is not an option for him now,” he added.
Sohail also praised Pakistan’s young and exciting batsman, Babar Azam for his performances in the ODI and T20I series against West Indies.
“Recognize the fact that he has talent and let him work on his game by throwing him a challenge to prove himself. Comparisons with others at this stage of his career is of no use to anyone,” Sohail said.