Afridi’s retirement a joke,

They were brothers-in-arm during the peak of their bowling careers. Wasim Akram seemingly respects that relationship with former new ball partner Waqar Younis.

Akram is not amused with Shahid Afridi’s comments that he wants to play for Pakistan again since Waqar Younis has resigned as coach.

“
 Afridi is making things too complicated for the Pakistan Cricket Board. Cricket is a team game and not an individual sport. You have to treat the interests of the team and the management above your individual preferences. So I think Afridi should decide once and for all whether he wants to retire or not,” said Akram.

Afridi has made a mockery of the word “resign”. After being appointed Test captain in 2010, the all-rounder quit after just one match, citing lack of form and ability to play the longest format. He also led Pakistan to the semifinal of the 2011 World Cup but was soon replaced as captain by Misbah-ul-Haq. Afridi then announced his conditional retirement citing differences with Waqar Younis. Akram feels it’s all becoming a joke.

“His (Afridi’s) retirement has become a joke now. You can’t play cricket on your own terms. You will have difference with your coaches, with your chairman and with your colleagues but it should not show in your outlook. At the end of the day you are representing your nation — Pakistan,” said Akram.

Pakistan embark on a new challenge when they take on Sri Lanka in a three-Test series starting October 18 in the UAE. The PCB has declared that the new coach will be finalized on September 29 and Akram feels the team’s performance depends a lot on the selection.