Afridi willing to meet Sethi

But former captain not keen on the idea of PCB hosting a farewell event for him

KARACHI: Still seething over Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to overlook his request for one last international game, Shahid Afridi will meet a top PCB official in Lahore soon to discuss the possibility of a befitting farewell.

Sources close to the former Pakistan captain told ‘The News’ on Thursday that Afridi was left fuming after PCB snubbed him despite first hinting that it would allow Afridi to play a farewell game against the West Indies in the UAE during the recently-concluded Twenty20 International series.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq was instrumental in efforts to include Afridi for the final game of the T20 series against the West Indies but the idea was shot down by a top official of the Board.

Later, Najam Sethi, who heads PCB’s Executive Committee, offered to meet the seasoned all-rounder in a bid to line up a befitting farewell for Afridi, who is still counted among the biggest cricket stars in Pakistan.

However, Afridi who is currently working as an expert on a TV sports show, initially decided against meeting Sethi.

“Afridi wasn’t sure whether there was any point in meeting Sethi after the Board’s decision to snub him,” said a source.

“But on second thoughts, he (Afridi) has decided to give it a shot. He will be meeting Sethi in the near future,” he added.

However, the source said that Afridi wasn’t keen on the idea of PCB hosting a farewell event for him.

“What Afridi wants is a farewell game in which he can represent Pakistan for one last time. Having played for the country for 20 years, he believes that it would be fitting for him if he quits on a high,” the source said.

The problem is that Pakistan won’t be playing any Twenty20 International in the coming months. After hosting West Indies in the UAE, Pakistan will tour New Zealand and Australia to play Tests and One-day Internationals. There won’t be any T20 game during the twin tours.