Not retiring yet, says Shahid Afridi

Karachi: Amid speculation that he has sought a farewell match, Pakistan’s flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said that he was too experienced and seasoned a cricketer to make such a demand and ruled out calling it quits anytime soon.

“I have played 20 years of international cricket for Pakistan and not the PCB. And I am not dependent on anyone for a match. The love and support I have got and get from my well wishers and fans is enough reward for me,” Afridi told the media in Peshawar on Sunday.

The firebrand former Pakistan captain said he would not ask the PCB for any farewell match. The former captain said India had never responded positively to Pakistan’s insistence on playing matches. PCB’s senior official Najam Sethi made it clear in an interview that he had no issues with Afridi and admired his services to Pakistan cricket.

He also insisted that Afridi would be given a befitting farewell by the board when the time came. Speculations have been rife over whether Afridi will get a chance to play one farewell international match for Pakistan since after he stepped down as captain after the disappointing campaign in the World T20 in India in April.

Initially, Afridi had said he wanted to play a farewell match but has now changed his stance after it emerged that the board backed off on giving Afridi a farewell match in the T20 series in the UAE against the West Indies last October. Afridi also told the media that he continued enjoying the game of cricket and was very much active in T20 cricket.

“I don’t think my career is over and I am enjoying myself and I will continue to play at the highest level. As far as Pakistan selection is concerned that is for the selectors to decide,” he said.