Afridi axed, Salim Malik recalled for second game (07 November 1998)

07 November 1998

Afridi axed, Salim Malik recalled for second game

The Dawn

KARACHI, Nov 6: The Pakistan cricket selectors put pinch-hitter Shahid Afridi on the chopping block but recalled Salim Malik for Sunday's second one-day international against Australia to be played at Peshawar.

Also axed from the team that played here on Friday was paceman Kabir Khan who was struck for 59 runs from his seven overs.

Afridi, the 18-year-old wonder boy, has been dropped after representing Pakistan in 68 of 75 one-dayers since his debut two years ago.

"I am not dejected. I will go back to domestic cricket and will try to return by performing there. Inclusion and exclusion is part and parcel of the game," a bold Afridi said.

In another surprise move, the selectors recalled Salim Malik who was dropped for the first game because of inconsistency with the bat.

Previously, the selectors dropped Ijaz Ahmad for the Rawalpindi Test which Pakistan lost by an innings and 99 runs. He was called back and silenced his critics by hammering back-to-back centuries at Peshawar and Karachi.

However, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmad were once again not considered for selection.

Also left out from the team that was humiliated on Friday were Azam Khan and rookie Mohammad Naveed Qureshi. While Qureshi was dismissed without giving an opportunity, Khan could score only three from four balls.

Uncapped but highly promising Asif Mahmood from Rawalpindi and KRL has been included. Mahmood participated in the Commonwealth Games in September but failed to get any big scores.

Aamir Sohail (captain), Salim Elahi, Ijaz Ahmad, Salim Malik, Yousuf Yohanna, Hasan Raza, Asif Mahmood, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq and Arshad Khan.

Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)