I Want To Play In Different Leagues, Prime Focus Is PSL: Shahid Afridi
Jan 31, 2017 at 11:23 AM
Shahid Afridi, former Pakistan skipper, expressed he intends to play in different cricket leagues as he feels his international career is nearing an end, before saying his focus is on the second edition of the Pakistan Super League, which starts on February 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The all-rounder revealed about his future plans during an inauguration ceremony as the chief guest at Karachi University Campus, in a bid to renovate its Mass Communication building under his organization ‘Shahid Afridi Foundation’ , which is doing charity work across the globe.
“I have played all the cricket I wanted too and now I just want to focus and enjoy playing in the leagues,” Afridi told media gathering in Karachi.
Earlier, PCB officials reiterated to give a farewell match to the Peshawar-born cricketer, who has represented the country in cricket for around two decades.
The 35-year-old right-handed batsman Afridi, who had many ups and down during his career was overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors following his dismal performance in the Twenty20 World Cup.
Afridi relinquished from captaincy soon after the poor show before stepping down as the PSL franchise skipper for the second edition to play under West Indies’ Darren Sammy.
“I think the visit of Giles Clarke is a good sign and it gives out the message that the security situation and law and order in our country is now better,” Afridi said.
The all-rounder also remarked security in Pakistan is now in better state. He expressed to see all PSL matches being scheduled in the country, before stating the final would play an important role for a country that hasn’t witnessed a Test game since 2009.
“I think if we have the Pakistan Super League final in Pakistan and it will also give out a positive message. But I would like to see PSL matches being held all over the major cricket centres in the country. But the desired results would not be attained if we kept playing PSL in Dubai,” Afridi revealed.
Afridi, who did not shy away from picking wicket-keeper batsman as the ideal successor of Azhar Ali and Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, also praised the efforts of the country’s cricket governing body for holding the talks with cricket boards to revive cricket in Pakistan.
“In the end it is the decision of the board who they appoint as captain, but if they want him to lead in all three formats it will be good for Pakistan cricket. I think he has the ability to do well as captain and lead the team. I would support him wholeheartedly,” Afridi concluded.