Shahid Afridi criticizes Pakistan’s selectors over Harris issue

Pakistan’s criticism of team selection is nothing new. The matter of the chief selector and the captain’s displeasure over the selection of the team seems to be an open secret in the cricket field now. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has sharply criticized the selectors of the Pakistan Cricket Board for playing Mohammad Haris against the West Indies this time. The former all-rounder also termed the selectors as idiots. 

Harris failed miserably in the international arena. The performance of this wicket-keeper batsman is not uncommon in domestic cricket either. Afridi is upset that he was included in the team only considering the performance of PSL. In an interview with Pakistani TV channel Sama TV, he said, “These people (selectors) have made foolish decisions.” 

Afridi said: “I won’t tell Ramiz Raja about this, but if Mohammad Wasim (chief selector) has heard about it, I will like to tell him not to take such a step. They are selecting cricketers for ODIs based on their performance in T20s. Why are you taking a cricketer for ODIs who has just performed in only two T20? Is the process so simple? You are giving Pakistan caps to whomever you want. ” 

Afridi is not against giving opportunities to youngsters in international cricket. However, he said the PCB should give him a chance to prove himself in domestic cricket before giving him a chance in the national team. “I do support the inclusion of young cricketers, but at least let them play domestic cricket as Sarfaraz and Rizwan are also in the team. It’s not that Rizwan’s cricket is over, so you bring someone else into the team,” Afridi said.