Afridi pulls out of Afghan T20 League after PCB snub
IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT AFRIDI’S DECISION TO PLAY IN IN AFGHANISTAN WAS NOT WELCOMED BY THE PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD
Former Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi has pulled out of the upcoming Shpageeza Twenty20 Cricket League in Afghanistan. Afridi, who retired in February 2017, was set to captain the Muslimyar Speenghar Tigers’ team in the tournament.
The team will be coached by the former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs.
Afridi had earlier announced on Twitter about his availability for the Afghanistan tournament.
The dashing right-hander, who played for Hampshire in the NatWest T20 Blast in England and scored his first ever century in the shortest format, had raised hopes of some fireworks in Afghanistan as well.
It must be remembered that Afridi’s decision to play in the T20 tournament in Afghanistan was not welcomed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The PCB had expressed displeasure as the senior cricketer had earlier sought permissions to play in the Big Bash League (BBL), but not in the tournament in Afghanistan.
Afridi was not the only Pakistani cricketer expected to take part in the Afghanistan T20 tournament.
Former players like Abdul Razzaq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Babar Azam, Sohail Tanvir and Rumman Raees were few other names associated with the Shpageeza Cricket League.
Relations between the PCB and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have touched rock bottom after Afghanistan pulled out from a bilateral series in Pakistan earlier this season following a bomb blast in Kabul. Afghan intelligence had blamed Pakistan for the attack.
On their official Facebook page, the ACB had written, “The ACB hereby cancel all kinds of cricket matches and initial mutual relationship agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board. No agreement of friendly matches and mutual relationship agreement is possible with a country where terrorists are housed and provided safe havens.”