Haq replaces Afridi as Pakistan captain for ODIs

Dubai: Shahid Afridi has finally paid the price for his public outbursts against his team coach Waqar Younis and failing to follow the decorum of a captain. Through a shocking decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Misbah-ul-Haq as the captain of the Pakistan team for the One-day series against Ireland. This brings to an end Afridi's reign as One-day captain.

Afridi, through his comments to the media after the World Cup and against Younis was putting Pakistan Cricket Board in an embarrassing position. Interestingly, no official reason was given by the PCB regarding the removal of Afridi from the captaincy. It was strange considering the fact that Afridi had led Pakistan to two bilateral series win and even guided the team to the semi-final of the World Cup. He had led Pakistan in 34 One-dayers and won 18 and lost 15.

To add to Afridi's humiliating exit, Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the PCB in a television interview went on to comment that "I haven't given any assurances to Afridi on retaining him as skipper for the oncoming One-day international series against Ireland".

Strong stance

Soon after Butt heard about Afridi's comments against coach Waqar Younus, he had said that the PCB will take strong stance against player power.

He had said: "To crush player power I penalised even prominent players like Younus Khan, Afridi, Shoaib Malek and Kamran Akmal without showing any reluctance which in the past had damaged the team spirit."

It is understood that Butt has acted to remove Afridi following a report from manager Intikhab Alam.

The difference between Afridi and Younis had commenced in West Indies One-day series which Pakistan won 3-2. Afridi stated that Younis was interfering with the selection of the final eleven.

Showcause notice

The PCB acted immediately and sent a showcause notice to Afridi. It is understood that PCB had warned Afridi from making public criticisms even during the New Zealand tour.

Afridi was officially made the One-day captain only in June last year just before the Asia Cup.

He had upset the PCB when he walked away from Test captaincy on the tour of England resulting in the role landing with Misbah-ul-Haq.

Afridi is a member of the 16-member squad for the two One-day series on May 28 and 30 against Ireland.

Squad

Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Salman (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rahman, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Tanvir Ahmad, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam