Pakistani greats expressed dismay Tuesday at Shahid Afridi's shock decision to quit international cricket, as officials said the "doors are open" for the influential all-rounder's return. Former captain Rashid Latif urged the government to resolve the problem of the national team losing top players after Afridi, who was stripped of the One-day captaincy after a spat with authorities, retired late Monday.
"His decision to retire, after people like Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf left, should be treated as a serious issue and I demand the Pakistan government to form a committee and solve this," said Latif. Ex-skipper Wasim Akram, under whom Afridi developed in the 1990s, called the development "sad" and said Pakistan had become a standing joke in cricket circles.
"It is sad and will hurt Pakistan cricket badly," Wasim told AFP. "Just last month Afridi was showered with praise after he took Pakistan to the World Cup 2011 semi-final, given cash awards and suddenly this happened. "Wherever I go people ask me what's happening in Pakistan cricket. They laugh at us and I am left embarrassed," he added. "I think even the best doctors do not have a treatment for Pakistan cricket."
Another former captain, Moin Khan, laid the blame squarely at the PCB's door. "This is a mistake of PCB administration," said Khan. "Afridi never took any names while he criticised the policies and Board took note of that, why no one in the government taking notice of PCB's actions of last three years." Fans on the street backed Afridi, who was known to empty stadiums when he was given out.