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What They Said About

'Afridi has harmed Pakistan cricket and should be penalised'

Former players and columnists on the latest saga to unfold in Pakistan cricket

Cricinfo staff
18-Jul-2010
Shahid Afridi at a press conference on the eve of Pakistan's semi-final against Australia, ICC World Twenty20 2010, St Lucia, May 13, 2010

The general consensus seems to be that Afridi has let Pakistan cricket down  •  Getty Images

"If he was not prepared for Test cricket then he should have thought about this before accepting the captaincy. His decision has come at a wrong time for Pakistan cricket and will complicate issues in the team."
Former Pakistan keeper Moin Khan predicts trouble ahead
"It makes no sense that Afridi should decide now he is not ready to play Test matches. He is himself totally confused as to what he wants do. To make him the Test captain was a wrong decision."
Former captain Zaheer Abbas says Afridi shouldn't have been captain in the first place
"Test cricket will be none the poorer for his absence. His brainless batting besmirched this match; his astonishing lack of leadership mocked some of his team-mates' best efforts."
The Telegraph's Steve James has little sympathy for Afridi
"I ask the board, is this not a violation of the code of conduct to announce such a big decision without taking team management into confidence?"
Javed Miandad wants Afridi to be punished for giving up the captaincy
"We all know he took the captaincy unwillingly, but when he took the responsibility he should have fulfilled it. His sudden decision will also affect younger players."
Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim thinks Afridi should have stuck it out
"Clearly he made the decision himself; he could not be pushed, having been beseeched so recently by his board to return to Test cricket."
Vic Marks writes in the Observer that there wasn't any pressure on Afridi to quit
"Afridi was a misfit in Test team so it put added pressure on him."
Former Pakistan spinner and selector Abdul Qadir thinks Afridi shouldn't have been in the side
"I don't think there was ever any place in the Test squad for Afridi, and in the first place he should not have been considered for the Tests"
Asif Iqbal, the former Pakistan captain, questions the board's selection methods
"Afridi was lamentable, an indisciplined disaster, whose sole virtue, bless him, was to recognise that he did not have the temperament for Test cricket."
In the Independent on Sunday, Stephen Brenkley compliments Afridi's honesty
"The national team is not the place for experimentations. Afridi has let Pakistan cricket down."
Aamer Sohail is disappointed