SHARJAH: Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi late on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career.

The flamboyant cricketer, nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’, had already quit Tests in 2010 and One-day International format after the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Last year, Afridi, who turns 37 on March 1, stepped down from the T20 captaincy as Pakistan could win only one match out of four in the ICC World Twenty20 in India, although he retained slender hopes of continuing his career in the sport’s shortest format as a player.

Afridi said will now focus on playing Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the next two years.

“I have said goodbye to international cricket,” said Afridi after smashing a 28-ball 54 for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings in the PSL match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. “I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it is goodbye from international cricket.

Intends to play PSL for another two years

“Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country.”

Afridi’s ability to score better than a run-a-ball enabled Pakistan to finish runners-up in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 in South Africa. He was instrumental in Pakistan winning the next global T20 edition, held in England in 2009, when Younis Khan led the country.

Afridi had been a crowd favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball One-day International century as a 16-year-old against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 18 years.

He became known as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan’s early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.

After stopping short of retirement following Pakistan’s first round exit at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, Afridi had wanted to play a farewell Twenty20 International against West Indies in United Arab Emirates in September.

However, selectors seemed to have lost confidence in Afridi’s ability as he was neither picked for a one-off Twenty20 International against England, nor the three-match series against the West Indies.

There were reports Afridi was interested in a farewell international before he quits the shortest format. But that apparent understanding with Pakistan Cricket Board officials seems to have not come to fruition.

His blistering breakthrough century in Nairobi in 1996 was only surpassed by New Zealand’s Corey Anderson’s 36-ball hundred against West Indies at Queenstown in 2014.

South African A.B. de Villiers then bettered the record further with a 31-ball century, also against the West Indies, at Johannesburg in 2015.

Afridi’s rapid-fire century in Kenya made him an instant hit with the crowds who expected fireworks every time he strolled to the crease.

Sometimes he delivered but too often for some, his death or glory approach brought his downfall.

Afridi’s maverick style also brought him a one-Test and two-match ODI ban after he was charged with using his foot to tamper with the pitch during a Test against England in Faisalabad in 2005.

He was also banned for two Twenty20 Internationals after he was shown on television biting the ball during a One-day International against Australia at Perth in 2010.

Afridi finishes his international career having played just 27 Test matches which yielded 1,176 runs with a highest score of 156 and 48 wickets.

He played 398 One-day Internationals and scored 8,064 runs at a strike rate of 117.00 besides claiming 395 wickets with his leg-spin bowling at an average of 34.51.

His Twenty20 international CV saw him play 98 matches with 1,405 runs at a strike rate of 150.75 and a career-leading 97 wickets.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017