Afridi to miss Ireland series

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Former captain Shahid Afridi will miss Pakistan's two-match one-day international series with Ireland to be with his ill father

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has pulled out of next week’s two-match one-day international series against Ireland to be with his ill father.

Afridi’s decision not to make the trip to Belfast comes a week after he was dumped as skipper for the series.

"Afridi informed us his father has been admitted to hospital for liver treatment and he wants to be with him,” a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said.

The 31-year-old was surprisingly relieved of the captaincy last week after he had led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the World Cup before a series success in the West Indies.

Afridi’s demotion followed his criticism of team management after the ODI series in the Caribbean earlier this month, claiming members had interfered in team selection.

The PCB asked Afridi to explain his comments but denied they have prompted a decision to give the ODI captaincy to Test leader Misbah-ul-Haq.

Pakistan have opted not to replace Afridi in their squad for the matches against Ireland, which will be played at Stormont on Saturday and Monday.