players in Pakistan to receive the news of the end of their career from the morning newspapers , or from their family and friends with a close eye on media reports . The PCB has a history of poor communication with its players . Similarly , their cricketers seem to go into retirement very fast and come out of it even faster , giving commitments without coming through . The press and the public is often rallied and used as pressure tactics for selection . In Afridi ’ s case , the thrust comes from all sides . Afridi recently stated , “ I have always noted that in Pakistan there is no tradition of players retiring gracefully , even the big names . Every player wants to go out on a high and I am no different .” On fi rst hearing reports of a possible Afridi comeback , the PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan was visibly upset , saying , “ When he was appointed captain , Afridi told us he would hang up his boots after the World Twenty20 . But if he has changed his mind now , he should come to me and discuss it instead of giving public statements .” If Afridi and the PCB had an understanding that the skipper would retire at the 2016 World Twenty20 , maybe there should have been an offi cial send off , a ceremony , a dinner hosted to recognise the contributions of Afridi and a small plaque for Pakistan captain ’ s trophy cabinet at home , and everyone would have gone home happy without the drama and media circus that is now on show . Very seldom do sportsmen time their exit right . Inherently , they are fi ghters from within ─ they have that innate “ never say die ” attitude . Their entire lives , they have fought against form , injuries , bad luck and so much more ─ and they have beaten the odds . However , the same attributes that make them excel at their skill and craft appears to turn them delusional towards the demands of international sport and the realities of prevailing times . The support system in parents , wives , children , and other family members is there to strengthen their confidence , true or otherwise , in good times or bad . It is a place ripe with positive energy and encouragement . The same off-fi eld powers that have nurtured a career often make it go that extra mile and mistime a retirement . It is exaggerated in a country and culture like ours , but it ’ s a natural sporting
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phenomena experienced by sportsmen across the globe . The onus then lies with the administrators of the game ; it boils down to man management . And historically , the PCB has fallen short in that regard . When deciding on giving a player a farewell series or even a game , the elephant in the room is always merit . Are the selectors hired to select the best team , or can they sway a little to accommodate and massage the ego of a falling crescent ? A heart warming graceful farewell can boost the morale in the dressing room , where current players know that they , too , can end their careers with honour and their heads held high , although at the opportunity cost of a more deserving player sitting out or compromising on the standard of national game play . At the age of almost 39 , Saeed Ajmal is also trying his best to make a comeback into the national squad . He , too , seems to go out on his own terms . However , his method has been different to Afridi ’ s . While the latter took to the media and rallied public support [ and debate ], Ajmal became the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded domestic T20 competition . For Afridi , it is his right to get that respect , and Ajmal shall toil long and hard to earn it . It refl ects in the careers they have had . The lives they have lived . The people they are . Meanwhile , in a response to a media query , PCB Executive Committee Chief Najam Sethi tweeted : “ PCB will honour Afridi and Ajmal in fi tting send-offs . I will meet and discuss this with them next week .” Respect is something that has to be given fi rst in order to get some . The same goes for the relationship between a cricket board and its most important human resource ─ its players . The key in striking that balance lies in communication and mutual respect between them . Like in any other organisation , lack of trust and a clash of egos often hinders in creating such an environment . The board should be clear about the conditions laid out in the arrangement they make when it ’ s the end of the road for players with illustrious careers , still craving that last hurrah . The player then needs to fall in line and comply with rules of engagement .