Shahid Afridi likely to be part of Pakistan’s squad for the one-day leg of Sri Lanka series – Cricket News Update

The former Pakistan skipper, Shahid Afridi is likely to make a comeback to the international arena in the next couple of weeks as the hard-hitting batsman is likely to make Pakistan’s one-day squad for the neutral venue ODI series against Sri Lanka.

A well-placed source in the Pakistan Cricket Board has claimed that the 31-year-old all-rounder has been assured by some political figures that he would be part of the national squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka starting next month, if he revoked
his retirement decision.

“Afridi is certain to make a comeback to the one-day side for the series against Sri Lanka; it was part of the deal he worked out with the political and other influential figures who were involved in his comeback,” said a source.

The belligerent Pakistan batsman, who holds the record of scoring World’s fastest century in the ODI cricket, had announced retirement from all cricket in May earlier this year following a fallout with the then Pakistan coach Waqar Younis and the former
PCB chairman Ijaz Butt. Afridi’s decision to bid adieu to the international cricket was more a gesture of protest against PCB’s decision to sack him as captain of Pakistan team following his media comments after the West indies tour.

Besides being sacked from captaincy, the prolific leg-spinner was also fined Rs. 4.5 million by PCB’s disciplinary committee for breaching the code of conduct. Initially his NOC for playing in the foreign leagues was also cancelled but later on he was given
permission to play in overseas tournaments.

However, since there is no Waqar Younis and Ijaz Butt, the flamboyant all-rounder decided to come out of self-imposed exile from the game earlier this month making himself available for the international cricket once again. Waqar Younis stepped down from
coaching role after Zimbabwe tour while Ijaz Butt’s three-year tenure as the PCB chairman ended on October 8.

President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, who happens to be the patron in chief of Pakistan cricket did not extend Ijaz Butt’s term and appointed Zaka Ashraf as the new chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board.

Many former Pakistan cricketers had also advised Afridi to come out of self-imposed exile from the game. Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper, Rashid Latif also feels it would not be difficult for Afridi to make an imminent comeback.

“If you look at his performance as a bowler in the last one year, that itself is enough to guarantee him an immediate comeback to the one-day side,” former captain, Rashid Latif said.

The flamboyant cricketer is in Hong Kong these days to play for the super stars team in the Hong Kong sixes.