Afridi hints at retirement from International Cricket

E-Paper | September 30, 2026

Afridi hints at retirement from International Cricket

Dawn Sport Abdul Ghaffar Published September 12, 2016

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has indicated retirement from T20 internationals after playing a farewell match in a series against West Indies in UAE.

According to sources, Shahid Afridi has asked Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allow him to play a match in the series against West Indies before he says final farewell to international cricket.

Shahid Afridi discussed the matter with Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and showed his eagerness to leave the game with grace.

The Pakistan team does not have any T20 internationals scheduled for next the 12 months after playing West Indies in UAE.

The former captain has appeared in 98 T20 internationals, scoring 1405 runs at an average of 18 runs.

Afridi is also a leading wicket taker in the shortest format of the game, with 97 wickets to his name followed by Umar Gul who has taken 85 wickets in 60 T20 internationals.

Shahid Afridi already announced retirement from One-Day Internationals after the 2015 World Cup.

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Maestro

Sep 12, 2016 11:01pm

Don't hint at it, please act immediately and retire. It will be the biggest service that you would be doing to your Country.

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Rajesh

Sep 12, 2016 11:02pm

Afridi "Retiring" one more time??

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Paggrri Sambhal

Sep 12, 2016 11:02pm

Oh God!not again.

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joe

Sep 12, 2016 11:08pm

What is a farewell match?? You play a match for which you are selected and then say bye Requesting to allow means ,you do not deserve but want your past performance to allow you.. Good players announce their retirement..

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Rao Gladiator

Sep 12, 2016 11:13pm

it,s time to resign for shahid khan Afridi.i think ,it,s time to groom youngester,s for international level to represent pakistan.no doubt ,Afridi was most popular in short term cricket as well as high voltage encounter. no one can blame to shahid for his greatness specially 2007 to till 2012.i believe that ups and down,s are the part of the game.we are very happy to hear his great decision to give up at the right time. As an pakistani afridi is loyal and bold player in his 20 year career.good luck for your future.

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Abhi

Sep 12, 2016 11:23pm

He is trying to retire for the past 100 years!!

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Bilal Chaudhry

Sep 12, 2016 11:26pm

Oh my god, as if his apology video after the World T20 was not pathetic enough, now he is begging for a farewell match? Hope the PCB gives it to him so Pak Cricket can be finally rid of this guy. PLEASE LEAVE!

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Parvez

Sep 12, 2016 11:31pm

' hints at '.......how many times have we heard that ?

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Manu

Sep 12, 2016 11:33pm

I think he also holds the world record for maximum number of "retirements"for any sports. He should be in the guiness book for world records of this. Also, Pakistan should please give him a nishan-ei-haider for this amazing feat.

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Nikhil

Sep 12, 2016 11:34pm

I think it's great that Afridi didnot retire. He is a performer and he gave the message that if he doesn't perform, then drop him. As a player he would think that he has it in him to keep going. I wish a lot of people do the same and the decision makers have the guts to drop them like the Australian selectors. Sachin Tendulkar overstayed in the end simply because no one had the guts to tell him to go.

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adil

Sep 12, 2016 11:41pm

Good luck Afridi, you have been a hero for all the cricket lover. How about playing domestic cricket for your fitness activity!

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Syed

Sep 12, 2016 11:44pm

Should have retired with some grace earlier. Now he is begging for a game, too bad too sad.

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Indian Friend

Sep 12, 2016 11:45pm

His time has passed and he should not be given any chance as you cannot select team on emotions and lose one crucial international match.

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Shahid

Sep 12, 2016 11:48pm

Give him whatever it takes to allow him to announce his retirement

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Sixer from Chakwal

Sep 12, 2016 11:50pm

Why can't you just retire in a press conference? Why do you wish to cost us another defeat before leaving? We respect you, just leave with grace.

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Iqbal Bhai

Sep 12, 2016 11:53pm

He is now trying to influence the selection. Is it a noble way to retire?

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rehaan

Sep 13, 2016 12:04am

So, when he will come back again?

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JohnQadeer

Sep 13, 2016 12:03am

About time you retire ...you should have done so 7 years ag0

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Capt C M Khan

Sep 13, 2016 12:09am

No..Never Pakistan First. With an average of 18 in 98 T20 internationals he does not deserve to be there. Sorry.

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Ali jee

Sep 13, 2016 12:14am

He still better bowler than any one in Pakistan team

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Rizwan Hamid, USA

Sep 13, 2016 12:20am

No Mr. Afridi, the national team is not your private property. If you were not selected, you MUST NOT be allowed to play. You are free to throw the biggest farewell party in the world for yourself. Your selfishness is revealed by this request that you think, as all other things in Pakistan , you can buy a place. If the PCB acquiesces, then Afridi will be right. That you can "buy" anything in Pakistan, deserving or not, if you have the right "parchi"

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Abdullah Basit UK

Sep 13, 2016 12:21am

Afridi Eagerness to leave the game with grace.Right decision but too late, 98 T20 matches scoring 1405 runs with an average of 18 runs and 97 wickets this is poor performance you have be retired in 2010 bcs average is very low 18 runs and 1 wkt per match. Request to PCB please honor his retirement only for (ONE) match with WIndies at UAE with respect & dignity.

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Optimistic Pakistani

Sep 13, 2016 12:26am

He is a great player and should be given a chance. Remember the countless matchless he has played memorable innings and a lot of failures but he has served for a long time and entertained us. He has the right to be retired gracefully and I would say all my countrymen are courteous to our heroes. Salam Afridi

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Hasnain Haque

Sep 13, 2016 12:36am

For God's sake, just retire gracefully, no need for one last appearance. You had a good run and now let new blood take over.

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Hasnain Haque

Sep 13, 2016 12:36am

Give the youngsters a chance and please retire now.

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Asif

Sep 13, 2016 12:42am

PCB should not listened to him...He is not reliable anymore...Even if he is allowed to play in a T-20 match and he luckily performs in that match like he mostly does once in a blue moon, then there is no guaranty he will retire..

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Sam

Sep 13, 2016 12:52am

Thank you for your great service. However, why dont you ask for being on field at 12th man and support team in final game. You dont have to prove to anyone about tour ability of hitting big. Its just a matter of leaving field officially in an honorable manner and lets nkt ask form something thst will take trams focus away from formidable WI side. They are the champions and we should put in same 11 thet has won us last game comprihensivley.

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spellbinder

Sep 13, 2016 12:55am

Afridi should be allowed to play one match, he deserves that.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 13, 2016 01:02am

I think he deserves to retire with dignity and he should be allowed to play entire T20 series and I sure do hope he make it count and step down with grace and dignity as he is asking to do so.

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Sep 13, 2016 01:22am

Please retire.

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Fact

Sep 13, 2016 01:28am

I hope he gets a chance to retire on his own terms .. and hope he doesnt have to go out on the selectors terms like saeed anwar or waqar younis or wasim akram or yousaf and many before him

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Aslam shaikh

Sep 13, 2016 01:46am

No more boom boom. Bye bye

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Faiza

Sep 13, 2016 01:46am

He should exit th game now, about time. The PCB should give Afridi a send off match. Whatever may have become of him, Afridi has served the national side and was instrumental in Pakistan's T20 world victory in England. I think he should get a gracious send off.

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Hammad

Sep 13, 2016 01:57am

He had his chance and he blew it not only by his inconsistent performance but also by having a rigid approach by constantly allowing ahmed Shahzad and akmal to play.

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Alia

Sep 13, 2016 02:08am

That would be very unprofessionaland unwise to upset the balance of team for one game.

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bluemesa

Sep 13, 2016 02:12am

for real?

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Aftab, NJ

Sep 13, 2016 02:13am

Why is it so hard to say goodbye. Like a cat with so many lives. Well done sir but time to go

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Salazar

Sep 13, 2016 02:17am

Asking for pity is not grace.

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Shazad

Sep 13, 2016 02:20am

Alhamdulillah

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Amir

Sep 13, 2016 02:20am

Thank god...

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Ashfaq11

Sep 13, 2016 02:37am

Sorry national team is not there to serve his whims. If he wants to play more then prove his fitness and selection and then you're in. We don't want to throw away a match just so that Afridi can show his hit and miss talent.

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Mani

Sep 13, 2016 02:43am

Sorry that boat has sailed. WT20'16 would be the last time Pakistan suffered defeat cause of Shahid Afridi.

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romk

Sep 13, 2016 02:52am

Grace period long gone for him! Surprised that a person of his self proclaimed stature should beg for another game.

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NASR

Sep 13, 2016 02:56am

Scoring 1405 runs at an average of 18 runs does not sound very Boom Boom

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kanwarch

Sep 13, 2016 02:57am

He should have retired a year ago. Now he can not find a place in playing eleven.

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KARACHI WALA

Sep 13, 2016 03:11am

A very late but good decision. Good luck

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KArim

Sep 13, 2016 03:47am

Since we don't have that many T-20s scheduled, we can't afford to accommodate Mr Afridi. I don't mind if PCB holds a ceremony prior to the game to recognize his accomplishments.

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NASR

Sep 13, 2016 03:58am

I think cricket should start thinking of taking retirement from Afridi

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Muhammad

Sep 13, 2016 04:04am

Why is he begging?

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Safdar

Sep 13, 2016 04:10am

Please give us this Eid gift...

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Naveed,USA

Sep 13, 2016 04:13am

Please hurry up!!!!

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fanish

Sep 13, 2016 04:49am

About time... Go when you're respected and before they show u door.

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AuK

Sep 13, 2016 05:04am

How pathetic. You played in the world T20 as captain - not on merit. Wasn't that enough of a farewell for you?

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Bitt

Sep 13, 2016 05:04am

Again!

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Patna ka presley

Sep 13, 2016 05:07am

Afridi is in nervous 90s. Pcb should let him play 99th and give him a fitting farewell irrespective of the stats of Boom boom .

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Sep 13, 2016 05:27am

No he should not be given this chance since he destroyed a lot of youngsters career by sticking around that long without any useful performance. Bye bye Afridi.

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Dada

Sep 13, 2016 05:40am

May be Lala should retire from Pakistan national team one more time n start leading Pak under-19 cricket team so once he get form then he can join national team again :)

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Shah

Sep 13, 2016 05:55am

Good riddance. Should have happened 10 yrs ago.

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Sami

Sep 13, 2016 05:55am

PCB should not trust him He is making fool again He will make 50 in one match and then he put pressure for his heroism on PCB and will not retire

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Mansoor Banglani

Sep 13, 2016 06:21am

It is his right to leave the game with grace.

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Nooruddin

Sep 13, 2016 06:25am

Hmmm so Shahid Afridi didn't allow Shoaib Akhtar to play his last match World Series. Shoaib was heart broken and could have made a difference. Shahid is out of form and creates disharmony. He should have retired already.

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Yaqoot

Sep 13, 2016 06:28am

He deserves a farewell I think nizam am should oblige it's ironic he would have to ask for something like this though when will the PCB learn? Our greats have to b honoured. I understand he may have been a year late in retirement his last 12 months have been forgetful but he did provide Pakistan with some of the greatest cricketing moments in her history.

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Desi

Sep 13, 2016 06:45am

About time he decides to retire

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EAM

Sep 13, 2016 07:03am

This selfish waste of space should not be allowed to dictate when and how he retires. Pakistan should move away from his mindless mediocrity.

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Sandeep Vadera

Sep 13, 2016 07:05am

Shahid Afridi has served Pakistan for so long and given us many good memories. He deserves to be given a chance to play one last match for the country so he can go out with honor. In fact it must be made a must and a tradition that senior players who served for long should be given one last actual match before they hang their boots. I have played cricket at the university level and know what a bond you form with the game, your colleagues, etc. It must be such an emotional day for these players they will never experience the field the way they once did. Thanks

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Hope.

Sep 13, 2016 07:12am

I have to see him actually retiring before I believe him!

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Lafanga

Sep 13, 2016 08:01am

Please PCB don't allow him.we are fed up with him. With west indies, he may score 10 runs and may give 40 runs in 4 overs.

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khan

Sep 13, 2016 08:16am

An excuse to get in to the team. If he wanted "grace", he should have retired 4 years ago.

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Janu Mughalpurya

Sep 13, 2016 08:16am

Quit please

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Sweet Talk

Sep 13, 2016 08:30am

Thanks GOD! Bye, the sooner the better

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Pragmatist

Sep 13, 2016 08:30am

overrated.

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delli walla

Sep 13, 2016 08:55am

Afridi holds the record for maximum retirements in the cricket world. He should be given another chance.

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Sep 13, 2016 09:03am

We can take the hint - please retire!

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Faisal Naqvi

Sep 13, 2016 09:03am

Here is the difference. Afridi who is hailed as a hero (of course wrongly) by the media is pleading with selectors to be in team and have a dignified exit. Misbah who has been maligned (of course wrongly) by the media said that he didn't want to play the series against England as series with India was canceled, and yet selectors begged him to lead the side. Begging of selctors was justified as Pakistan is the top test team now.

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Adnan Mazher Khan

Sep 13, 2016 09:16am

I am deadly against if Shahid Afridi is given a chance to play Farewell Match. He has already done it on several occasions in the past. Enough is enough Mr. Shahid Afridi; please let the team move forward.

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Belal

Sep 13, 2016 09:20am

Good riddance

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Farooq

Sep 13, 2016 09:21am

Afridi has done a lot for Pakistan cricket and had pivotal role in winning T20 World Cup. Having said that he has retired and taken back retirement almost 10 times in his career Who can trust him if he is retiring or if he scores 50, he will say I am coming back for my fans

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yugi

Sep 13, 2016 09:20am

We lost the count...how many times he will annonce his retirment..hope this will last..

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Asif

Sep 13, 2016 09:27am

Loser. What happened to I will retire on my own terms?

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Patriot

Sep 13, 2016 09:34am

Don't bring back the dirty laundry. Throw away the rotten apples. Akmal, Afrid, Shazad and the likes.

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Najam Saeed

Sep 13, 2016 09:41am

His time is up. He should have retired with grace a few years ago. We tolerated him for too long. No need to bring him back in the team. He can hold a press conference to announce his retirement.

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Tahir A

Sep 13, 2016 09:43am

Oh for God's sake, please put this subject to rest for ever.

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Siddhartha

Sep 13, 2016 10:40am

Thank God! Finally!!

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Bored

Sep 13, 2016 10:40am

Its time Cricket retired from Afridi

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Crick pathan

Sep 13, 2016 10:56am

don't go anywhere AFRIDI,we need you and we will be pleased if you remain the part of team till next world cup.

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Maestro

Sep 13, 2016 10:56am

This will be the greatest gift that you have given to this nation

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Maestro

Sep 13, 2016 11:03am

I wouldn't even select him in my mohalla team let alone Pakistan cricket team......

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H Ather

Sep 13, 2016 02:08pm

These are international event not a charity show Mr Afridi spare the team now it has started to gain some momentum You have brought enough wrath last time we appeared in the World Cup You had done well in the past and now is the time to retire actually you should have done that couple of years back

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Ahmed Asif

Sep 13, 2016 04:20pm

@Belal He scored 49 in 24 balls, 2/34, 9 in 23 balls,o/25, 23 in 9 balls,2/27, 14 in 7 balls & 0/28 in the last wc. This is not bad at all. He is till ranked 3rd best allrounder & 8th best bowler. It is non sensical on the oart of selectors to drop him.

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Arsalan

Sep 13, 2016 04:21pm

This is one of the best news all year!

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Hassan Shah

Sep 13, 2016 04:45pm

He deserves it. Include him in place of Umer Akmal for the whole West indies T20 series, who has never been a performer for the country.

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Masood Hussain

Sep 13, 2016 05:48pm

NO,please Mr.Afridi.had enough of you.

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Sep 13, 2016 06:50pm

NOT AGAIN !

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sherali mitha

Sep 13, 2016 09:38pm

Sooner the Better.... Past history of our Cricket should be cleaned out as it was just a disater.

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Ammeed

Sep 13, 2016 09:51pm

Pakistan needs his services in t20 and ODI. His flamboyant innings have brought many victory to Pakistan. Recall him and make him captain.

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Humanoids

Sep 13, 2016 10:25pm

Please retire dont hint. The hint is to pressurize the management but sadly they can survive without him. Thank you for your services AFRAIDi now take the walk....

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javed qamer USA

Sep 13, 2016 11:20pm

Please retire and give others a chance. Afridi has not done much for a long time and it is high time he left cricket.

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Sep 14, 2016 01:26am

Overdue by 16 years min. The most useless cricketer ever. Only played that long bease of his first innings and every 50 innings when he was about to be kicked.

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Ahmed

Sep 14, 2016 02:38am

At times like these, I always remember the great Imran Khan's words "retire at the peak of your career when people ask why (are you retiring)? instead of when people start asking why not?" Regardless of what people might say or think about Afridi the fact is that he is one of the players to make a big impact on Pakistan cricket and it's sad to see him begging for a graceful and honourable exit I understand Inzimam had a similar situation at his time of retirement so he might be a bit keen to empathise with Afridi

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Uday Kulkarni

Sep 14, 2016 05:29am

The current generation of cricketers are extremely greedy thanks to the commercialisation of cricket as a game. I am reminded of the times when Sunil Gavaskar announced his retirement and was asked why did he retire and his response was "One should retire when people ask WHY instead of when people ask WHY NOT ?" But then those were the days of Gavaskar' Vishwanath ; Zaheer Abbas and even Imran Khan when cricket was more of a gentleman's game and not MONEY MONEY MONEY cricket.

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anony

Sep 14, 2016 06:37am

Boom boom Afridi should definitely be given a chance. He can make or break a game single handedly.

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FSL

Sep 14, 2016 09:47am

The opinion of all these keyboard warriors that he shouldn't be given his chance to retire on the cricket field is stupid. We need to honor our heroes and this is the best honor a player can be given. This is how we paid tribute to Inzi back in 2007 and this should happen to all our heroes. Doesn't matter what sort of player Afridi has been. He is been around for 15-odd years and he has won us countless many games. He should have his farewell match.

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Abdulla Hussain

Sep 14, 2016 12:56pm

Afridi had committed a mistake to over stretched his playing career, he should have gracefully retired earlier. Anyway he should be given a farewell match to retire from Cricket after all we cannot forget the way he helped Team Pakistan to win final matches on several occasions.

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Asif

Sep 14, 2016 02:55pm

A few days back he himself said that he is much better than some of the players playing in the team so what happens all of a sudden that he is begging for a farewell...He must have seen the farewell the Great DILSHAN got by the crowd this is why he is thinking for a farewell now cause he is very much aware he will not get a chance to return into the team whether team performs or not in T-20s.........

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Lalit sharma

Sep 15, 2016 09:58am

1st. Afridi now Hafeez n akamal are same. best of luck to pakistan cricket

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D.K. PAMNANI

Sep 15, 2016 11:29am

Decision should have been taken during world cup T20. Pak people should agreed to his request for farewell match. He should go with all respect and dignity. He is a great player and served Pakistan for many years.

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