Shahid Afridi’s international future was plunged into further uncertainty after Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ijazz Butt told Geo Super television on Thursday that it is his constitutional right to appoint the captain before every single series.
However, the ICC has recommended to the PCB that Butt lose the privilege to improve the team.
Afridi led Pakistan to a semi-final berth in the 2011 World Cup, but was dumped as captain after the West Indies tour which prompted the all-rounder to announce his retirement from international cricket.
Afridi consequently took the PCB to court to reissue his clearance to play overseas, and dropped the case after agreeing to meet Butt, plead guilty to misconduct and a fine of 4.5 million rupees ($52,000). Butt went to say that a former provincial governor and former prime minister rang him to urge clearance be given to Afridi, but he says he wasn't pressured.