My career is not over: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan captain insists he still has some international cricket left in him at the age of 36

Shahid Afridi

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi applauded the national team’s fightback in the first Test against Australia and said that this could lay the foundation for success in the three-Test series Down Under.

“I think the Australia tour in very important. The way we played in the first Test was great; we showed fighting spirit. If we continue playing like this, it won’t be difficult to beat Australia,” he said at a prize distribution ceremony for a super sixes tournament in Islamia College, Peshawar.

He called on the Pakistan Cricket Board though to ensure the team played in better conditions throughout the year rather than in the UAE.

“If you will play cricket in Dubai and Abu Dhabi all year long, then don’t expect victories in New Zealand and Australia. I think the players should be given similar conditions in Pakistan to practice before going on tour foreign tours. No doubt our Test team has always performed well,” added the 36-year-old, who gave up his duties as the captain of the national T20I team after the 2016 World T20, but believes he still has some cricket left in him.

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

There were also reports that he wanted a farewell match, Afridi said he is not depending on the PCB for that. “I have played 20 years of international cricket for Pakistan, not the PCB,” he said. “And I am not dependent on anyone for a match. The love and support I have gotten and still get from my well-wishers and fans are reward enough for me.”

Speculation has been rife over whether Afridi will get a farewell international match and PCB’s senior official Najam Sethi said in an interview that he has no issues with Afridi and admired his services to Pakistan. He assured that Afridi will be given a fitting farewell by PCB when the time came.

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