Shahid Afridi has withdrawn altogether from two One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Ireland for personal reasons, an official said on Tuesday. The popular all-rounder was last week replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq despite leading Pakistan to the semi-final of the World Cup and a 3-2 one-day series win over the West Indies.
It was seen as apparent punishment by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for Afridi’s public criticism of coach Waqar Younis for interfering in team selection on the West Indies tour. “Afridi has informed us that his father has been admitted to hospital for liver treatment and he wants to be with him and would not be available for the two matches in Ireland,” and no replacement will be sent for Afridi, PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told the reporters.