Waqar disappoints over Afridi's retirement, denies rift with him

Pakistan cricket team coach Waqar Younis has expressed 'disappointment' over former skipper Shahid Afridi's decision to retire from international cricket and also denied a rift between him and Afridi. Talking to reporters after team return from Ireland, here at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Thursday, Waqar termed Afridi's retirement as tragic but said he cannot comment on the issue without consulting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The PCB said it has summoned Waqar, who was due to travel to Australia to visit his ailing wife, to discuss the manager's report on the West Indies tour, including details of the reported dispute with Afridi. Waqar is due to meet PCB officials to discuss team manager Intikhab Alam's report on Pakistan's tour of the West Indies. Waqar said: "I am disappointed at Afridi's decision to retire. I don't want to make too many comments before meeting PCB officials." He said there are no personal differences, we all play for Pakistan and he also come to know about his differences with Afridi through the media. "I will not comment until I know what Afridi has said," he said.
It may be noted that Waqar's reported rift with Afridi was followed by the latter being removed as Pakistan's One-day captain, a move that led to Afridi retirement from international cricket. Waqar said he had nothing to do with Afridi's removal from the captaincy. "It's not in my hand to appoint skipper of the team. The PCB chairman appoints the captain of the team so you better ask him why the change was made," he added.
It may be recalled that Afridi's retirement has prompted the PCB to suspend his central contact and revoke the NoC that allowed him to play for Hampshire in England's domestic Twenty20 tournament. Afridi in reply to a show cause notice from the PCB had admitted that he had violated their code of conduct.
Afridi said his decision to retire was final, as he would not play under the current PCB, headed by chairman Ijaz Butt, but hinted at a comeback if there was a change in leadership. The retirement of Afridi had also opened a debate by political parties.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has vowed on Thursday to persuade Afridi to reconsider his decision of retirement. "I will do whatever I can to resolve this issue, as I am equally a fan of Afridi," Malik said. The main opposition party, PML-N had already moved an adjournment motion on this issue in the National Assembly.
Afridi had accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of mistreating him. Former Test cricketers had blamed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for mishandling Shahid Afridi issue which led to his retirement from international cricket. Former chief selector and left arm spinner Iqbal Qasim, ex-wicketkeeper/batsman Salim Yousuf and ex-Test pacer Jalaliddin said poor handling of issue created another embarrassment for PCB and Pakistan cricket. "Pakistan cricket is already suffering from various problems and PCB-Afridi issue made us laughing stock in the world," they said.