New Delhi – Former T20 skipper Shahid Afridi has said there is a serious dearth of real talent in the country’s domestic structure and asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to focus on basics, Indian media reported.
Afridi, after the team’s below par performance at the Asia Cup and World T20, urged the PCB to shift their focus to school cricket. The flamboyant all-rounder was quoted as said by the Indian media, “The way I see it right now we don’t have that much real talent in the background. I can’t pinpoint any young player with certainty. I think the board needs to pay attention to school cricket and work at grassroots level.”
Afridi, who was overlooked from the month-long training camp, announced for the tour to England, said he had already informed the board about his non-availability. “I am just focussing on T20 cricket and I had informed the board about my commitment in English County Cricket this summer,” he said. “But I will obviously work hard on my form and fitness in order to make the Pakistan team,” Afridi said.
The selection committee, headed by former Pakistan skipper Inzamamul Haq also said that Afridi was not dropped and would be considered for future T20 assignments. Pakistan plays just one T20 in England and two more against the West Indies in the UAE in October.
The 36-year-old seems to be on the same page as the selection committee, which decided to drop Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal on disciplinary grounds and also asked the youngsters to work harder on their game.
He further said “I don’t know why they are dropped but if discipline is the reason than obviously they need to pay attention to it and work harder on their cricket. I also agree that there should be no compromise on discipline and it is time to give young players a chance.”
