Citizen says cricketer’s batting had hit rock bottom, player’s fans plan protest against PCB.
Lahoris on Tuesday gave a mixed response to former cricket team captain Shahid Afridi’s sudden announcement of retirement from all forms of cricket. Some citizens backed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt’s decision to sack Afridi as captain while others urged him to tack back his decision. Ties between the PCB and Afridi hit rock bottom when he was sacked as team captain during the recent West Indies tour and batsman Misbahul Haq was named as Afridi’s successor for the Ireland tour. Afridi, known for his blistering batting and spin bowling, said that he was not getting respect from the PCB and decided to hang his boots. The former captain said that he was in favour of the team.
Citizen Ahsan said that Afridi had lost his batting form and his retirement was in the team’s interest. He hoped that now ‘player power’ would be eliminated. A page on social networking site Facebook has also been created with the name “We want Afridi back in the team”. Syeda Esha commented, “We want Afridi back and the best way is to change this pcb omgg I dnt know y they only want money”. Another member said, “No Cricket with0ut Boom Boom!” Some people have also planned a protest against the PCB at Qaddafi Stadium. Former PCB chairman Lieutenant General (r) Tauqir Zia also criticised Afridi’s decision to quit international cricket. First class cricketer Mohsin Saleh said that the tussle between the PCB and Afridi was embarrassing. He asked both parties to settle the issue in the greater interest. Another citizen said that Afridi’s retirement would be a great loss for Pakistani cricket and high-ups should convince Afridi to take his decision back.
