ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s under-fire captain Shahid Afridi Wednesday issued a video message to supporters apologizing for his team’s early exit from the World Twenty20, but remained silent on his future following calls for him to retire.
Afridi, nicknamed “Boom Boom” for his fierce hitting, has suffered a drop in form over the past two years and he was unable to steer Pakistan through the group stages of the tournament in India.
The 36-year-old has been expected to make an announcement on his future this week, but instead he took to Facebook and Twitter to issue a one-minute apology to the cricket-mad country.
Pointing to the star on his Pakistan jersey, he said: “For this star, and these colors, when I come to a ground, I carry the weight of my people’s hopes with me.
“Today, I, Shahid Afridi, apologize to the whole nation for not being able to fulfil the hopes of myself and my team.”
The 2009 champion has been widely criticized by fans for a lackluster performance at the World T20 with just one victory, against unfancied Bangladesh, and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.
Like Afridi, head coach Waqar Younis is also under intense scrutiny and he offered to resign while offering his own apology at a press conference Tuesday.
Afridi’s video met with a mostly positive response by fans posting on his Facebook page.
“Great cricketer Boom boom Afridi ..i am Indian ..but I like afridi as sportsman..come on guys support them be with ur team,” said user Narayan Kawade.
Afridi has been a fan favorite since he burst on the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 17 years.
He became known as a bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan’s early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.
Starc back for West Indies and South Africa series
Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was Wednesday included in Australia’s one-day international tri-series squad to face the West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean in June, while bit-hitting Travis Head also earned a call-up.
Starc, 26, has been out of action since fracturing his foot in last November’s historic day-night Test in Adelaide against New Zealand and undergoing ankle surgery.
But he has now regained fitness and leads an impressive pace attack which also features Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-Nile and John Hastings.
Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon, overlooked for the World T20, has been given another chance to shine in the limited-over format after being included alongside leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
Lyon is no stranger to conditions in the West Indies, having played five Tests and taken 23 wickets in the Caribbean where spin bowling is expected to be a major factor.
The biggest surprise was the inclusion of Head in place of Shaun Marsh who was not considered because of the impending birth of his first child.
Australia begin the tri-series in Guyana on June 6 against South Africa before facing the hosts four days later at the same venue.
The round-robin tournament sees teams play three matches against each opponent, with the top two advancing to the final on June 26 in Barbados.
