Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has once again launched a stinging attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the cricket team management saying he was reduced to ‘zero’, only a few days after being hailed as a national hero following the cricket team’s spirited performance in the World Cup.
Afridi, who announced his retirement from international cricket after his abrupt removal from captaincy, was replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq for the series against Ireland.
The PCB disciplinary committee had imposed a fine of 4.5 million rupees on Afridi and cancelled his No- Objection Certificate for his participation in the English T20 competition.
Speaking to the media at the launch of his new business venture ‘Fashion Valley’, Afridi expressed dismay at PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt’s attitude during his retirement controversy and said Butt had caused him great distress as PCB Chairman.
Afridi reiterated he would not play under the present PCB regime.
“I cannot play with people who conspired against me and worked against the team, they have their personal interests paramount to them and they are only damaging the team”,
The Dawn quoted him, as saying.
He added that he had his heart in representing his country and did not want to let down millions of fans, who reposed their confidence in him time and again.I have always maintained that playing for Pakistan is my priority, I would always prefer representing my country over any offer from anywhere in the world,” Afridi said.
He dispelled the notion that his behaviour had cost the team the last two matches of the series.
“I did not take part in the selection meeting on the eve of the last two matches. The team was selected by coach Waqar Younis and Intikhab Alam and I had no input in the selection of the playing eleven” he said. (ANI)
