Afridi opts out of Ireland tour, joins sick father in US ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board says Shahid Afridi has pulled out of this month's two-match limited-overs tour against Ireland due to his sick father. PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said Wednesday that Afridi has joined his ailing father in the United States, where he is undergoing liver treatment. Pakistan is scheduled to play two ODIs against Ireland at the Northern Ireland capital Belfast on May 28 and 30. The PCB dropped Afridi as ODI captain last week, apparently for criticizing team management following the one-day series against the West Indies. Afghanistan goes down fighting A fighting Afghanistan Wednesday lost to Pakistan's second side by five wickets in their first confrontation, with officials hoping a three-match series can foster more foreign tours. International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players and their assistant coach. Afghanistan, which won the toss and decided to bat at Diamond Cricket Ground, recovered through a fighting 72 by vice captain Mohammad Nabi, who helped his team recover from a precarious 94-8 to 152 all out in 37.3 overs. Nabi added an invaluable 58 for the ninth wicket with Shapoor Zadran, who made four. Captain Nawroz Mangal, with 33, was the only other batsman to reach double figures. For Pakistan ‘A' pacemen Mohammad Talha (3-29), Sadaf Hussain (2-25) and Sohail Tanvir (2-33) shared the wickets. Pakistan ‘A' was led by a brilliant 47 by opener Sharjeel Khan, but paceman Dawlat Zadran (3-45) briefly raised hopes of an Afghan win before Umar Amin (29) and Sarfraz Ahmed (21 not out) helped Pakistan reach the target in 39.5 overs. The remaining two matches will be played in Rawalpindi (Friday) and Faisalabad (Sunday). Scores: Afghanistan 152 all out in 37.3 overs (Mohammad Nabi 72, Nawroz Mangal 33; Mohammad Talha 3-29) and Pakistan ‘A' 153-5 in 39.5 (Sharjeel Khan 47; Dawlat Zadran 3-45). Pakistan's cricket chief insisted Wednesday that his country is safe enough to host international matches, saying the current tour by lowly-ranked Afghanistan sends a positive message to the world. “We want to send a message to the world that Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and the people of Pakistan would welcome any team coming here,” said Ejaz Butt in a message at the start of Afghan series. Zimbabwe to host Australia, SA Zimbabwe's cricket board says it will host Australia and South Africa A sides in a triangular limited-overs tournament next month in preparation for the country's return to test cricket. Zimbabwe Cricket said Tuesday a Zimbabwe select side will take part in the three-team, seven-game series starting on June 29. A Zimbabwe XI will then play Australia A in two four-day games in July ahead of a return to Tests against Bangladesh in August. Zimbabwe last played a test in 2005. It withdrew from the five-day game after an exodus of its top players following a disagreement with the board. Zimbabwe Cricket spokesman Shingai Rhuhwaya said “hosting Australia and South Africa A sides will set a good foundation for our test return.”
