Afridi set to become T20 journeyman

Published January 29, 2015
Shahid Afridi is set to feature in the upcoming editions of the Big Bash and the Caribbean Premier League. — AFP
Shahid Afridi is set to feature in the upcoming editions of the Big Bash and the Caribbean Premier League. — AFP

Pakistan's enigmatic all-rounder looks all set to be a Twenty20 journeyman when he calls time on his one-day international career at the end of the 2015 World Cup.

The 34-year-old Afridi, who will captain Pakistan T20 side until the 2016 World T20, has thrown his name in the hat for the upcoming Big Bash League edition just days after signing with English county Northants for the T20 Blast, England's version of the Twenty20 league.

“After the massive impact overseas players such as Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Darren Sammy had on the Big Bash League this season it’s encouraging to see Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi appearing to head down a T20 career path following his ODI retirement at the end of the World Cup,” Cricket Australia quoted Big Bash League Senior Manager Anthony Everard as saying.

“Of course, Afridi played in BBL|01 with Melbourne Renegades and he would be a welcome addition to the BBL|05 edition.”

Former Australian allrounder Tom Moody, who is currently a Caribbean Premier League International Cricket Director, has also indicated that Afridi is amongst those jostling for a contract in the West Indies.

“Once again, the excitement and competition level has been heightened with the addition of Pakistan cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, to the roster for the CPL 2015 Draft,” Moody said.

One of the most spectacular hitters of a cricket ball the game has know, Afridi, nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’ for his dynamism with the bat, holds the record for the most sixes in One-day Internationals with 342 to his credit.

Renowned for his rapid run-scoring, Afridi — also an effective leg-spinner — has a strike-rate of 116.29 from 389 ODIs and 145.29 from 77 T20 games for Pakistan.

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