LAHORE: Pakistan’s legendary former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, whilespeaking to media personnel at the launching ceremony of the KashmirPremier League official anthem here Friday, termed the ongoing differencesbetween fast-bowler Mohammad Amir and bowling coach Waqar Younis as acontinuation of a culture in Pakistan cricket.
The all-rounder remembered his own differences with Waqar while statingthat the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should talk to Amir and put an end tothe matter. “The differences between the coaching staff and Mohammad Amirare a continuation of tradition. My differences with Waqar are welldocumented. This is not a good tradition. The board has a sort of parentalrelationship with its cricketers.
Whether it is Amir or any other player, the PCB should communicate itsplans with them so that they mentally prepare themselves if they aredropped due to any issues,” Afridi said. “It would be better if thechairman or chief selector talks to the players rather than the coachingstaff. Amir was made an issue for no reason. The board should talk to Amirand put an end to the matter. A coach should support his players duringlean patches. Everyone has to work together for the country and team,” headded.
The 43-year-old believed that players were being thrust into the Test sideon the basis of a few T20 performances. The former all-rounder alsostressed the importance of veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik in the nationalside. “It is good that they put the blame on coronavirus rather than theirusual subject of fitness. They thrust players into Test cricket on thebasis of three T20 performances.
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Talent like that fades away in a few days. You must first prepare a playerlike Mohammad Hafeez or Shoaib Malik and then bring them to the nationalside. Malik is the spine of the side. With a World Cup coming up, he shouldhave been in the side,” he said. “Misbah has made a lot of achievements forhis country but the current team should play with some bravery. You cannotplay international cricket with the heart of a chicken.
Only those that can handle pressure can bring success to the side. I don’tthink former players should just eye a role as the coach of the nationalside. Star cricketers such as Mohammad Yousaf, Inzamamul Haq and YounusKhan can do wonders at the junior level similar to how Rahul Dravid hasdone in India,” he concluded.
