Shahid Afridi turns down PCB's farewell offer
Afridi hoped that the authorities would follow the trend of giving farewell to senior in future.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Former captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Friday has turned down Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) offer for a proper farewell match to be played in September this year.
In a chain of tweets posted on social networkig website Twitter, Shahid Afridi thanked Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chairman Najam Sethi for offering him a farewell match against International Cricket Council (ICC) World XI but snubbed it due to personal engagements.
Thank you for the meeting and farewell offers @najamsethi. Unfortunately due to my commitments I won t be able to take them 1/2
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 28, 2017
He said that he wanted to set a new trend and he is very ecstatic to know that Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, who recently announced to get retired after ongoing West Indies series, are getting proper farewells.
My desire was to set a new trend. I m very happy that Misbah&Younis are getting proper farewells. I hope this trend will continue in future.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 28, 2017
He also hoped that the authorities would continue to follow this trend in future.
The aim of my life is to be on the model to serve one and serve all of mankind, Inshahallah together ensuring #HopeNotOut for all
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 12, 2017
Following the Afridi’s decision, Najam Sethi tweeted that we respect him but PCB would arrange a grand farewell for its three heroes Misbah, Younis and Lala.
We respect @SAfridiOfficial decision not to play Farewell match. PCB will organise grand farewell for Lala like Misbah and Younas. 3 Heroes!
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) April 28, 2017
It is to be mentioned here that Shahid Afridi announced retirement from international format on February 20, 2017, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career.
Nicknamed Boom Boom, Afridi had been a fan favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball one-day century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 18 years.
He became known as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan’s early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.
Afridi finished his international career having played just 27 Test matches which yielded 1,176 runs with a highest score of 156 and 48 wickets.
He played 398 one-day internationals with 8,064 runs, a highest score of 124 while taking 395 wickets with his leg spin. His Twenty20 international CV saw him play 98 matches with 1,405 runs and a career-leading 97 wickets.
