01 June,2011 08:23 AM IST | | AFP
Pakistani greats expressed dismay yesterday 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 on 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."
Afridi, 31, stood down from international duty after a row with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over critical comments about coach Waqar Younis after this year's World Cup, when the team reached the semi-finals.
"I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team," he told AFP from London. "I will not play under this set-up of the PCB which has treated players roughly," he added.
The body's chairman Ijaz Butt insisted Afridi would be welcomed back if he chose to reverse his decision. "To retire from cricket is Afridi's decision," Butt told a local television channel. "We have not stopped Afridi from playing and the doors are open for him."
