ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Shahid Afridi could lose captaincy after World Cup
Shahid Afridi's reign as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team could come to an end after the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2016. Pakistan's six-wicket loss to India on 19 March coupled with his comments on the field have not impressed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is likely to sack him irrespective of the team's performance in the tournament.
"There is clear discontent in the board about Afridi and his performances and captaincy even if he decides against retiring after the World T20, the board will not retain him as captain any longer and even his days as a player are ending now", a PCB source was quoted as saying by the Indian news channel NDTV. "The board is also not happy with the media statements of Afridi and believe it is time to move on."
There is set to be a major overhaul in the team management and the coaching structure in Pakistan, with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan indicating that the current selection committee will be disbanded post the T20 World Cup. Coach Waqar Younis is also likely to be sacked.
"No matter whether Pakistan reaches the semi-finals or even wins the title, the selection committee headed by Haroon Rasheed is on its way out. What emerged was that some of the selectors complained Haroon kept them isolated on some key decisions while the chief selector blamed the captain and coach for some players selected in recent times," a source said.
"Initially the plan was to extend Waqar's contract till the England tour but now this seems unlikely and there is a discussion going on about having a foreign coach or a local one."
Former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed, who coached the National under-19 and A teams, is the most likely candidate to replace Waqar if the Pakistan cricket authorities do not opt for a foreigner. Javed is also familiar with the squad as he served as a bowling coach before resigning in 2012.
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