Afridi pulls out of 2-match ODI series against Ireland

Pakistan's glitzy all-rounder Shahid Afridi has pulled out of the 2-match ODI series against Ireland due to the illness of his father.

According to a Geo News report, Afridi had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board that he would not be available for the two-match ODI Series in Ireland on May 28 and 30.

"Afridi wants to spend time with his ailing father who is under treatment in the United States. It has nothing to do with him being removed from the One-day International team captaincy," a source claimed.

The Chairman of the PCB, Ijaz Butt removed Afridi as captain earlier this month and replaced him with Misbah-ul-Haq who is presently leading the team in the Test series against the West Indies.

Indian ODI Team selection on May 13

The Indian squad for the one-day series and a Twenty20 match against the West Indies in the latter's backyard will be picked on May 13 in Chennai.

"The selection panel is to meet at Chennai on May 13 to choose the team," Cricket Board sources told PTI.

The meeting will be held a day after Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would have led Chennai Super Kings against the Delhi Daredevils at home. The Super Kings' next fixture is against Kochi Tuskers Kerala, also at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, on May 18.

The Indian squad, which is scheduled to leave for the Caribbean on June 1, will start the tour with a Twenty20 international against the West Indies at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad on June 4.

The five ODIs follow the conclusion of the one-off Twenty20 game at the Queen's Park Oval (June 6 & 8), Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua (June 11 and 13) and Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica (June 16).

After the conclusion of the limited-overs games, India will take on the West Indies in a three-match Test Series from June 20-July 10 with the matches scheduled at the Sabina Park, Kensington Oval in Bridgetown and Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica.