Shahid Afridi could return as Pakistan captain once more

Shahid Afridi could return as Pakistan’s captain

Shahid Afridi looks set to be Pakistans skipper once more. NDTV Sports reports.

Afridi has been vocal about his desire to captain his country once more after leading them in the 2011 World Cup.

The player has been ever-present for Pakistan for 17 years and has always held the captain’s job in high regard.

“If the Cricket Board (PCB) deems it fit and offers me the captaincy again I will accept it as a challenge,” Afridi said.

“I think the position we are facing right now is that all the senior players need to contribute more and play a more decisive role in the South Africa series,” he said.

Afridi was forced to vacate the captains job after tension cropped up between the player and the PCB and has not captained his country since 2011, with Misbah-Ul-Haq replacing him

Afridi was at the helm of Pakistan’s 2011 World Cup campaign and looks set to be the captain of the ODI side who face South Africa in the UAE.

“In principle it has been decided that since there is little time before the South Africa series and the Test matches are to be played before the limited over games, Misbah and Dav Whatmore will continue as captain and head coach for the Tests but Afridi will be brought in as ODI captain while Mohammad Hafeez will continue to lead the T20 outfit,” one source told PTI.

Pakistan face South Africa in October with five ODI’s, three Tests and two T20 games in hand.

The source stated that the selectors were in Lahore to meet with Najam Sethi, chairman and caretaker on the board, yesterday to talk about the upcoming series against South Africa.

“Basically the selectors agreed that Misbah should be given one final chance in Tests against South Africa but it was necessary to introduce a fresh approach to the ODI outfit and Afridi’s name for the captaincy came under discussion,” he said.

Pakistan head coach Dav Whatmore was not called for the meeting by the PCB, who are unhappy with the way he has handled the team since he took the over reigns in March 2012 from Waqar Younis.

“But some key decisions have been taken on the selection. One thing is also clear that Hafeez is out of the Test side,” the source said.