While reports of Shahid Afridi being sacked after the ICC World T20 2016 was a speculation, Sunday, it looks like the rumour has turned out to be true. Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Shaharyar Khan has confirmed that Afridi will be relieved of his captaincy duties after the completion of the ICC world T20 event.
One of the iconic all-rounders Pakistan have ever produced till date, Afridi has not been in form for quite some time now. His captaincy also has not lead Pakistan to any major victories and thus, he has been subjected to a lot of criticism in the recent times.
Even Pakistan's legendary batsman Javed Miandad had questioned PCB's decision of retaining Afridi in the Pakistan squad.
Khan is also considering axing the all-rounder from the team.
"He is captain till the World Cup under this understanding and he has said he will retire after the event. Even if he changes his mind and wants to carry on we will have to see whether he can be picked as a player or not," Khan was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.
"Afridi is a iconic figure in Pakistan and he has won us matches in the past, some on his own. His choice was logical. It is natural that whenever the team loses a big match there is criticism directed at him. But I think at this he needs the support of everyone."
Also according to the sources, PCB is not very keen to extend coach Waqar Younis' contract, which ends June 2016.
"We are looking at it. Waqar (Younis)'s contract is until June. I discussed the matter with Wasim Akram and some other senior players and they said whether we appoint a foreigner or have a local coach he should be able to produce best results from the team," Khan added.
"Personally I don't see anything wrong in having a foreign coach as we have done in the past. And Bob Woolmer was our best coach. I think the players need a cultural shock so we might have a foreign coach or a local coach."
