‘Shahid Afridi shouldn’t work in such environment’ – Ramiz Raja not happy with inclusion of former allrounder as chief selector

Published on January 9, 2023

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently underwent a transformation, and numerous internal changes were implemented. Shahid Afridi was named the interim head selector of the men’s national team, where he was joined by his old teammates Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum. Ramiz Raja, the former PCB chairman, was replaced by Najam Sethi.

Ramiz and the PCB have been engaged in a verbal battle ever since, with the cricket’s governing body even threatening to sue the former player. He has been public about his relations with the new chairman despite the warning, and during a conversation last week, he even proposed that Afridi should resign from his position.

Haris Sohail and Shan Masood included in the ODI series against New Zealand

“In my opinion, he shouldn’t work in such an environment. I can only suggest this. If I have to join any institution, I’ll do a bit of research. Who is the boss, who are his subordinates, will I be comfortable or not, will I get any reward, why do I want to work, what is the purpose,” Ramiz told Capital TV.

Ramiz got fired from the post of chairman after Ben Stokes-led England whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 in the Test series.

While this is going on, Afridi has already made some risky choices, the most recent of which was to move Sarfaraz Ahmed from the bench to the starting XI. He played in both of Pakistan’s Test matches against New Zealand and consistently stood out as the team’s best player.

Despite the fact that both games were drawn, the former Pakistan skipper finished the competition with the most runs scored. He scored 335 runs in his innings, including a significant century in the second Test in Karachi’s fourth innings.

Afridi also added veteran players Haris Sohail and Shan Masood to the team for the ODI match against New Zealand, saying that “the two still have plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket”. Masood last participated in a 50-over international match in 2019, while Sohail last did so in 2020.