SEASONED all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s decision to retire from One-Day International cricket after the ICC World Cup 2015 is widely seen as a timely one by his critics while it has left a large number of his fans disappointed.

The dashing player who is known for his exhilarating brand of cricket — be it his batting, leg spinners or his breathtaking catches — has enthralled cricket fans all over since his debut in 1996.

However, the cricketer says he wants to leave the game while he is still on top and would prefer to concentrate on the T20 format until the 2016 ICC World T20 in India where he will be leading the Pakistan team.

Also read: Warhorse Afridi to quit ODIs after World Cup

One of the most experienced players on the international circuit today, Afridi’s exploits over the past decade and a half have propelled him into the ranks of the finest all-rounders the game has ever seen.

With a number of records already under his belt, he is now eyeing the feat of completing 8,000 runs and 400 wickets during the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before bidding farewell to the 50-over format.

Though Afridi has been in the spotlight for the past year and a half owing to his chequered performances, he recently overcame a bad patch when he turned in a solid all-round show in the five-match series against New Zealand, which has ensured him a place in the squad for next year’s extravaganza.

Having led Pakistan a number of times including during the 2011 World Cup, Afridi has had his share of controversies. And yet, one must give him credit for surviving it all on the dint of his abilities and fervour that have allowed him to make a comeback each time the critics wrote him off.

The game of cricket today needs personalities like Afridi; unfortunately, with hardly a suitable replacement in sight on the domestic front, Pakistan cricket will be poorer without a player of Shahid Afridi’s calibre and charisma.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2014