Pakistan's former T20 skipper Shahid Afridi on Thursday made an unequivocal offer regarding his availability for the national team.

In an interview with BBC South Today, the 35-year-old said, "If they [Pakistan] want me later in the summer, then I'm available."

Afridi, who captained Pakistan in the ICC World T20 earlier this year, said he is satisfied with the young cricketers taking precedence over him in the national side.

"I've told the selectors it's fine to keep me away and to see where the youngsters are standing."

After Pakistan's deplorable run in the Asia Cup T20 and WT20 tournaments, Afridi stepped down from the captain's position when criticism mounted against the team's abysmal performance.

He received severe criticism for his ineffective on-field tactics by fans and from then team manager and head coach. In his post-WT20 report Intikhab Alam stated, "much to our chagrin [Afridi] was a captain in his farewell event after a career spanning nearly 20 years, yet absolutely clueless in terms of on-field tactics and off-field leadership,”

Waqar Younis recommended to keep Afridi away from the team in his report that was leaked out to the media resulting in a strong protest by the former.

Younis stated, "We lost to New Zealand, Asia Cup and the World T20 due to poor captaincy. Over several occasions, I had made it clear that Shahid Afridi was not performing with the bat, ball or as a captain but I was not listened to."

Eventually Afridi opted to step down from the post and to Twitter, to announce his decision.

Afridi is gearing up for the famous English domestic shorter-version competition, T20 Blast. The right-hand batsman will don Hampshire colours for the tournament.

The flamboyant all-rounder retired from Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODI) in 2010 and 2015 respectively.

Pakistan will play England in a one-off T20 International on September 7 under their new captain, Sarfraz Ahmed.

Opinion

Editorial

Pahalgam aftermath
24 Apr, 2026

Pahalgam aftermath

A YEAR after at least 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, ties ...
Real estate power
24 Apr, 2026

Real estate power

THE latest round of land valuation revisions by the FBR for tax purposes signifies a familiar pattern that ...
Ad astra
Updated 24 Apr, 2026

Ad astra

AMONG the many developments this month that Pakistanis can take pride in is the news that one of their own will soon...
Ceasefire extension
Updated 23 Apr, 2026

Ceasefire extension

THOUGH the US has extended the Iran ceasefire — thanks largely to effective Pakistani diplomacy to prevent sliding...
Climate & livelihoods
23 Apr, 2026

Climate & livelihoods

THE latest ILO report estimates that around 3.3m jobs may have been affected by the 2025 floods — significantly...
Virtual courts
23 Apr, 2026

Virtual courts

THOUGH routine activities in Islamabad have been greatly hindered amidst security preparations for another round of...