Farewell match is my right, insists Afridi
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ISLAMABAD: The matter of Shahid Afridi’s retirement from T20 Internationals took a new turn on Wednesday when the veteran player asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to give him a farewell match so that he could exit international arena in a befitting manner.
It may be recalled that Pakistan were eliminated from this year’s World Twenty20 after losing to India, New Zealand and Australia in the preliminary stage of the event.
Consequently, there were talks, at that time, about this being Afridi’s last T20 campaign.
Read: Does Shahid Afridi deserve a farewell game?
However, after the loss to Australia in the World T20, Afridi said he would think about retiring and on April 3 he stepped down from national T20 captaincy but didn’t announce his retirement from the game’s shortest format.
Now, Afridi, who quit ODIs last year after the 2015 50-over World Cup, says he deserves a farewell match, and he has asked the PCB to provide him with that so that he can bid goodbye to his fans. “A farewell match is my right,” the all-rounder said while talking to a private news channel.
He further said that he has talked to PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan about the proposed farewell match.
Afridi with a vast experience of 398 ODIs and 98 T20 Internationals under his belt insisted he had done a lot for Pakistan cricket and (therefore) deserved a chance to bid farewell to his fans in a befitting manner.
Meanwhile, PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi said that the Board wanted to give Afridi farewell in a graceful manner.
Read: Future of Afridi, Ajmal uncertain as PCB set to give central contracts
Talking to a private TV channel, Sethi said the Sept 26 meeting, to be held with him for finalising the matter of farewell, was cancelled due to Afridi’s engagements.
Sethi said he was waiting for that meeting but Afridi cancelled it.
“We are still waiting for Shahid Afridi to get a date from him for the meeting,” Sethi said, adding that the PCB wanted to award him a farewell match as he deserved it.
Published in Dawn September 29th, 2016
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Comments (47) Closed
Sep 29, 2016 02:43pm
Yes He should give farewell match....
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Sep 29, 2016 03:00pm
May be he deserves the farewell but if he played for other country than I'm sure he can't play so prolong time like 398 ODI's & 98 T20. He actually set a wrong examples for youngsters as a batsman.
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Sep 29, 2016 02:59pm
WOW, he wants to play a farewell match. Why? He should count himself lucky that he lasted so long, any other country would have send him out a long time ago...Mr who never played for team...never read the match situation, never thought if i make a stand we can win this match..i think he should count his blessings and just go on his merry way...farewell match, no chance..
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Sep 29, 2016 03:00pm
First you write a note on a bond paper that after if you play farewell match " you will Pakistan cricket " then my vote is for you to a farewell match other Good Bye ... see you again on TV channels.
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Sep 29, 2016 03:01pm
Why waste time on these pity issues. He was a hero then he killed himself. He did undue favors to Ahmad Shahzad and Akmal and it was openly felt by Pakistanis. Then he destroyed future of Fawad Alam, kept many more deserving players away from Game and on the top of all his crimes he did not even accept Sarfaraz as a good player.
He was super hero once then incidence of biting the ball and his arrogance killed his reputation.
I don't get the point, WHY IS HE BEGGING????. His time is over. Most of us are not even interested in him or his game. Let him be honest to himself if not Pakistan. Let him see his achievements in last 10 to 15 games by bat and ball and then he should decide if he deserves a place.
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Sep 29, 2016 03:04pm
Let's see if he can get a farewell match or not?
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Sep 29, 2016 03:07pm
Pakistani Brothers, please consider his services toyour nation. Please do not forget that he was a match winning player. If he is of no use to your nation, do not ignore him. Please accept his request.
Namaste ji
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Sep 29, 2016 03:11pm
Like he gave that right to Shoaib Akhtar... :)
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Sep 29, 2016 03:14pm
In order for him to have a farewell match, he needs to be first prove his eligibility to play T20 International by outclassing the current players who are performing more reliably than him. International matches between two nations are not charity games and are contested at the highest level.
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Sep 29, 2016 03:18pm
Afridi your attitude is wrong. You said you will retire after t20 world cup and now you demand a farewell match. You may get one but you are losing respect. The way you have conducted yourself post t20 world cup is beyond dignity. Look at pitersen and how his foul mouth led to his axing. Remember board is not bound to offer farewell matches. If you want one, request it rather than demanding it
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Sep 29, 2016 03:28pm
This is getting embarrassing ...(though highly reflective of Pakistan cricket)
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Sep 29, 2016 03:30pm
So you think Kevin Petterson and other like you also deserve a farewell match. I think you squandered that right many years ago. Look at you batting averages and of late bowling averages.
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Sep 29, 2016 03:51pm
He deserves nothing. Overhyped player at best.
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Sep 29, 2016 03:54pm
Yes ! it is your right Shahid Khan Afridi , but you should ask yourself whether you have left some legacy behind you or not . When we talk about legacy , I mean are you better than the greats like Jeved Miandad , Wasim Akram , Moin Khan , Saeed Anwar, Waqar Younis , Rashid Latif , Shoaib Akhtar . And now the queston is will Younis Khan get any farewell???? I think he - alongwith Misbah , Sarfaraz and Yasir Shah- played an enormous role in taking Pakistan to the top level in tests. Afridi's contribution to the game is still lesser than these guys.
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Sep 29, 2016 03:54pm
WOW ... that set a wrong example for others!!
Has he forgotten what he did to Shoaib Akhtar??
He was simply way over rated and was never be consistent player or threat to opponents as if he won one match for Pakistan then failed in next ten or towelve!!
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Sep 29, 2016 03:57pm
So in order to give Afridi 'his right' PCB would have to drop a person, selected on merit and performance, from a team that has been enjoying quite a bit of success and slot is a bloke who was part of a horribly poor team.
Professional cricket is a job and should be treated like any other job. Afridi was good enough for it and was paid very well for it. He didn't serve his country out of the goodness of his heart. Its as simple as that.
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Sep 29, 2016 04:00pm
@D.K. PAMNANI yes bro he was match winning player in one game and losing one in next 10-15 games. Trust me if he was in any other cricketing nation then he must have had send out long back.
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Sep 29, 2016 04:10pm
Is he more greater player than Rahul Dravid & VVS Laxman & their contribution to Cricket ? but these legends never asks for farewell match for themselves & retired from all form of cricket just in front of media.
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Sep 29, 2016 04:28pm
"Retirement" is not a criteria for team selection !
He should get a farewell in some other form but not at the cost of another more fit player.
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Sep 29, 2016 04:51pm
No it is not your right. You were paid handsomely for your services. You broke your promise when you said you will retire after world cup. You should have retired right then.
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Sep 29, 2016 05:05pm
No, Mr. Afridi.. It is not your right to have a farewell match. You decided to retire at the end of T-20 WC this year and then you changed your mind. You should just retire.. end of career that has more failures than success.
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Sep 29, 2016 05:22pm
afridi is loved by the whole nation
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Sep 29, 2016 05:25pm
Afridi, you will still be playing for your fans in PSL. Just playing for the sake of farewell doesn't make sense
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Sep 29, 2016 05:32pm
Pcb is never sure when the retirement is final. Greats have historically came out of retirements for too often. Remember 1987.
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Sep 29, 2016 05:31pm
maybe have a T20 series with a minnow team. We can call back all "Ex players" looking for a farewell and let them play.
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Sep 29, 2016 05:37pm
Player should retire on their peak while in their playing days and announce a dignified retirement. No need for begging for a farewell match when you cannot make the playing eleven on merit and current performance. Only what can be done now is to THANK YOU for your services to the country.
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Sep 29, 2016 05:53pm
No, Mr Afridi. No one has the "right" to be included in a match. The team has to consist of the best 11 players that Pakistan can put on the field. You have served Pakistan cricket well, and you have been amply rewarded for that. Go in peace.
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Sep 29, 2016 05:58pm
why not arrange a match between pakistan side captained by sarfraz and rest of the pakistan cricketer eleven captained by afridi. give some respect to other players to groom or honor them who are not included in pakistan side. it will be fun to watch
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Sep 29, 2016 06:01pm
Afridi's farewell happened at the World Twenty20 when Pakistan lost miserably and he did not do much neither with the ball nor with the bat. Please note that he was the captain of the team and good captains usually lead from the front and by example. He needs to show some class and move on with his life. He was a flash in the pan type of a player all his career and except for occasionally performing well, his performance was always below par. He probably deserved a farewell match a few years ago but it is too late now. Move on Sir to the next phase of your life.
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Sep 29, 2016 07:39pm
You had a chance to hang his shirt at the end of WT-20. Now you can't forsake the Pakistan team goals by your reckless demands.
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Sep 29, 2016 07:48pm
afridi was a top cricket entertainer he must be feeling something in his guts to ask for farewell match. lot of people will love to watch him lead the rest of pakistan eleven against sarfraz pakistan team. this farewell match can introduce some new faces playing against pakistan side. something pcb can show to amaze cricket fans of pakistan while giving chance to those who think they are as good as any one in pakistan side
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Sep 29, 2016 07:49pm
It's not a right. It is a courtesy. It has to be earned. At the end of the day we are putting out a team to win.
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Sep 29, 2016 08:10pm
He deserves it.
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Sep 29, 2016 08:52pm
When he had announced that we will be retired after T20 world cup and he was the captain he should have done his best to win the tournament but apparently he didn't. Now he shouldn't be begging for a farewell match. He should just do what other retired players are doing to make money to keep playing T20 leagues around the world.
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Sep 29, 2016 10:31pm
No farewell matches. Select the team for each match on merit, and farewell is not a merit!
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Sep 29, 2016 11:08pm
Give him a farewell match at Shadab cricket ground where he used to play as a teenager in Federal B Area. That is all he deserves! He can play against a regional team of his choice.
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Sep 29, 2016 11:19pm
Demanding prizes and farewells are nobody's right.They can only be earned with humility and dedication.
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Sep 30, 2016 12:08am
His farewell match was in Worl T2o ,he assured his retirement to PCB after World T20 . Why he needs another farewell.
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Sep 30, 2016 12:09am
I wish he plays farewell match and gets out for a duck like he usually do so that Pakistan can close his chapter once and for all. What is he trying achieve in his last match? break Tendulkar records?
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Sep 30, 2016 01:44am
No one has a right has the "right" to a farewell game.
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Sep 30, 2016 02:37am
To claim his right he has already consumed many talented lads rights, lets see how many more
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Sep 30, 2016 03:48am
He should have retired gracefully after the WC. He has overstayed his welcome. The best thing for him would be too fade away with respect rather then demanding a farewell.
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Sep 30, 2016 04:50am
He should get a farewell lunch or a farewell dinner but he played a farewell World Cup. Bye Afridi, you were great about 10 years back and we respect you but now move on.
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Sep 30, 2016 06:28am
He should have taken world cup's last match as his chance for farewell and said good by respectfully. It is over now, let Sarfaraz focus on building a T20 side that can win the next T20 world cup. He is getting it right, team looks focused why disturb their momentum. They are undefeated let them continue on that way. And really it is just Shahid Afridi, better players like Saeed Anwar, Javed Miandad didn't get a farewell.
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Sep 30, 2016 06:36am
Agree with Afridi and Saeed Ajmal. We should never forget our icons. Give them the farewell dance, guys. It is there right and they do deserve a salute for their services.
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Sep 30, 2016 06:54am
what a disgraceful way to ask for a gracefull farewell !! why would any deserving player who has earned the place in the team should be displaced to accomodate him for the ceremonial farewell for Afridi , He had the op when he announced his retirement and was the captain of the team to mark his last match and would have got his farewell at that time !!! How ever what can be done for him is a ceremonial match for him of some sort and he should see how many people show up to see him having a farewell rather he should be imposed in a team or match on the people !!
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Sep 30, 2016 12:48pm
@D.K. PAMNANI Agree with you, well said.
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