Shahid Afridi unlikely for lone T20I against England
Pakistan’s mercurial Shahid Afridi is unlikely to be considered for selection for the single T20I against England, scheduled to be played on September 7 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Afridi, the former Pakistani skipper, is yet to recover from a knee injury that has been bothering him since the culmination of the World T20, after which he stepped down from captaincy after a disappointing run of results in the format.
Having retired from ODI and Test cricket, he has hardly figured in Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) plans for the longest format of the game, the T20 format represents the only chance for Afridi to continue his run in international cricket, that stretches back to nearly two decades.
Afridi still injured
Having missed the four-day fitness test organised by the PCB in May, under the instructions of new chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq for all its centrally-contracted players, Afridi is yet to stage a full recovery.
"He (Afridi) has undergone an MRI scan and has been advised to undergo a rehabilitation program at the national cricket academy for the next few weeks," a PCB source said, as reported by The Times of India.
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur had lamented the lack of power hitters in the ODI squad after their defeat in the rain-affected first ODI against England and though his days in the 50-over format are behind him, Afridi, 36, is still keen as ever to represent the national team in the shortest format of the game and has no plans to retire from international cricket any time soon.
"Afridi is keen to play T20 Internationals for Pakistan as he has now focussed on just this one format after his retirement from ODIs last year. But he has to prove his fitness and form to the selectors first," the source added.
Shehzad and Umar Akmal not considered, too
Two other players who are unlikely to be considered for selection are opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad and wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal, as the new selection committee are still not ready to accept the apologies tendered by the cricketers after being dropped for the England tour on disciplinary grounds.
The duo, as well as Afridi, could, however, feature for Pakistan’s next assignment against the West Indies in the UAE.
"Even though the two (Shehzad and Akmal) have apologised to the Chairman of the board but the selectors are yet not ready to accept them back in the national team," the source stated.
"Afridi, Shehzad and Umar will come under consideration for the West Indies series but the selectors still want more assurance that Shehzad and Umar will be on their best behaviour when they return to the team."