Pakistan have axed Afridi from the final 15. I would have still have had him in the squad but his bowling has been woeful.
"Afridi had been selected as a bowling allrounder but he was not up to the mark and couldn't score at crucial occasions so we had to left him out," chief selector Qasim said. "His career is not finished, if he performs at domestic level, he can stage a comeback."
Umar Akmal has also been dropped but I think he's going through a bad patch domestically but I think that's due to poor handling by Pak management by keeping him on the bench for months.
Looking at the squad we don't really have any power hitters in the lower middle order so I think we might struggle in this tournament.
Squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal, Misbah ul Haq (capt), Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Asad Ali, Wahab Riaz, Umar Amin, Abdur Rehman, Ehsan Adil.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-champions-trophy-2013/content/current/story/633067.html
Afridi Dropped for Champions Trophy
posted on 29/4/13
I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!! WE SCORED SIXXXXXXX FACK ME!!!!!!!!!!!
posted on 29/4/13
I like Asad Ali's inclusion he seems a very good player. And, the fact that he plays for the best domestic team, who constantly win I was surprised he wasn't picked before.
I don't like the inclusion of Umar Amin. I'd prefer Azhar or Umar. Much better players. Ehsan Adil good to see him given another chance.
As for Abdur Rehman, top lad, good player, but they should've just picked Afridi. If not Afridi then another batsman or Hammad...because in truth will Rehman play? Not really. If a Ajmal gets injured because it's English conditions and we have Hafeez Pakistan would just replace him with a seam bowler. And, if Pakistan under perform they won't bring him in will they? In ODI's and T20's he is always, just in the squad.
But, Umar Akmal not being picked is Pakistan's fault. He is too blame too, but Pakistan hardly picked him then when he played in the domestic cup he was out of touch and under performed. One thing I can only say is at least Pakistan are being bold in their decisions.
posted on 29/4/13
One thing I can only say is at least Pakistan are being bold in their decisions.
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Agree. Very happy with some of the decisions they have made lately.
Out:
Younis Khan
Shahid Afridi
Umar Gul (injury but still)
Hopefully add Farhat and Goofy to that in the future.
Also Amir, Rehman may be taking up a space, but I rather we pick him than Afridi. Afridi's past his expiry date, nowadays he just takes up a space and ruins our balance of the team, and if he was in the squad, he most probably would have played. Just keep for T20s.
The only way Afridi would get into my team would be in place of Ajmal, and I wouldn't even think about doing that!
I do agree that Hammad or somebody like Azhar, Haris should have been here instead of him.
Umar Akmal will come back stronger I feel, this might be a good move to leave him out.
I was hoping they picked Mo Rizwan from domestic whose got an average of 40+ at just 20y.o! Goofy
At least we will have 7 proper batsman and decent number 8 if either Ehsan or Wahab play Also heard Asad Ali is a good player too. Excited to see how he gets on.
posted on 30/4/13
PCB – What an utter shambles. I thought we’d be one of the favourites for the CT this year, but with this shocking selection, we wont get passed windies and saffers making the india game a dead rubber and a complete waste of time!!! If you wana drop afridi, fine, but his replacements are a joke.
Reasons for an early exit:
Lower order looks thin
Hafeez, does he know we're playing saffers in the second game??
Farhat
Malik this guy averages about 20 in the last 2 years
Amin – we’ve seen him before in England, looked like a dog with a lost bone quite frankly.
Newbies – you don’t bring in a line of youngster in alien conditions and in a big tournament – PCB are hell bent on knocking their confidence – abit like they’ve done with UA.
Overall, this is a bit and pieces team, with a bunch of nobodies who on their day can fluke a victory here and there with their eyes closed. Most are tuk tuk yawn yawn slug players that will be caught napping at the crease in England. This is probably the worst Pakistani squad going into a tournament I’ve ever seen.
posted on 30/4/13
A14
I would not have minded the dropping of Afridi or Akmal providing we introduced a better replacement but how the fek is Rehman better than Afridi and like A14 said Umar Amin was shocking last time he was in England and his overall stats are poor so how the fek does he get in
posted on 30/4/13
How can you lot justify Afridi to be selected? lol
posted on 30/4/13
Getting your excuses in early afridi? You pathetic little girl
posted on 1/5/13
Not at all, just airing my view on what is a shocking selection by the PCB. Not an excuse, just a reality in my view.
Off course, my support for the team, however good or bad will be at a 1000%. Unlike these bunch here.
http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/15807/8677667/IPL-India-batsman-Virat-Kohli-furious-with-abusive-Mumbai-Indians-fans
ViRAT goes on to say - "I don't know what is wrong with people in this venue. It feels a bit weird because at the end of the day you play for India and you don't come here to be hated.
"It has happened to a few players in the past as well. I don't know why they get so worked up during IPL. IPL is not the end of the world. They forget that the players they are booing for also play for their country.
"It is only creating hatred among the players. When I come back and play for India, they are going to cheer for me. It doesn't work that way
Lesson of the day- IPL ain't the end of the world . If a rat can understand that why can't others??
posted on 1/5/13
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 9/5/13
I enjoy Afridi's madcap batting but really, this is a fair decision. The only bad thing about it is that the rest of the world won't get to laugh at a 45 year old Shahid trying to convince the world he's only in his 30s as he's bowled through the gate attempting to slog a yorker back to Islamabad.