KARACHI: After taking over the reins of the Pakistan team in all the three formats, Shahid Afridi indicated that he is determined to root out politics from the side and will not shy away from sacking the spoilers.
“I am not going to tolerate any politics in the team and anyone who tries to spoil the dressing room environment will find himself out of the team,” Afridi said. “As captain my task is simple; I want every player to contribute positively to the team and I am not going to tolerate any negative vibes in the team.”
The spin all-rounder will lead Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup and the full England tour. They will play six Tests in the English summer against Australia and England between July and September.
A recent PCB enquiry committee’s probe into the team’s poor show in Australia highlighted the differences and ego problems among senior players and the politics in the team.
Afridi said the team, if united, had the potential to do well in all formats of the game.
After making it clear that he wants Mohammad Yousuf to shun retirement and re-join the Test team, Afridi also felt that the team would also need Younis in England.
“Younis’ presence is important for us because of the tough conditions in England. We need a senior person like him around to guide the youngsters as well. I hope he is selected for the England tour,” he said.
Afridi, who has come out of a self-imposed exile from Test cricket to make himself available for Pakistan said, he had accepted the challenge of captaincy because he wanted to the team to leave controversies behind and do well.
“To be honest I was not mentally prepared for a comeback to Test matches but I changed my mind after giving it much thought. I know going back to Test cricket after nearly four years is going to be difficult but I have always enjoyed such challenges in my career,” he stated.
Meanwhile, sources said on Friday that Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is not too keen to have Shoaib Malik back in the side as he fears that the all-rounder would create disharmony in the side.
”There are others as well including some selectors and board officials who feel that it would be better for the team if Malik is kept out for the moment,” one source close to PCB disclosed on Friday.
He said Afridi did not push for Malik’s inclusion like he did for Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan. “Afridi’s reaction is natural considering that he knows well that Malik can be a very negative influence on the team,” the source said.
Malik emerged as the main villain during the probe by the Pakistan Cricket Board into the troubled Australian tour last year with former coach, Intikhab Alam, Afridi, Younis, Yousuf and others blaming him for spoiling the team atmosphere.
Former manager Abdul Raquib, Intikhab and Yousuf openly blamed him for creating disharmony in the team.
During the inquiry committee hearings, the team officials also confirmed that they wanted to send Malik back from New Zealand but the then skipper Yousuf let him stay as the team needed his experience.
Malik, who recently got married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, was banned for 12-months and fined Rs two million by the inquiry committee but he has appealed against the punishment.
In his defence, Malik has said that he had no cause to create disharmony in the team as he was no longer interested in the captaincy and only wanted to represent the country as a player.—Agencies
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