Afridi declines Najam Sethi's farewell offer

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Friday declined an offer by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi to give him a farewell upon his retirement from international cricket.

The seasoned all-rounder took to Twitter to thank Sethi for meeting him last Sunday and offering to arrange a "fitting farewell" for him.

Afridi, however, declined to accept the farewell offer citing his 'commitments' and said his earlier desire for a farewell was just to "set a new trend".

He said he was "very happy" that Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and master batsman Younis Khan — the veteran duo who announced retirement from international cricket this year — are being given proper farewells.

"I hope this trend will continue in the future," the former skipper said.

Afridi had asked PCB in September last year to give him a farewell match so that he could exit the international arena in a befitting manner. “A farewell match is my right,” he had said.

Sethi and Afridi met in Dubai last week to discuss ideas to give a befitting farewell to the outgoing cricketer as well as plans about his future contributions to the sport in the country.

The legendary all-rounder announced his retirement from international cricket in February this year, ending an illustrious ─ and sometimes controversial ─ 21-year career.

The 36-year-old star had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India.

He stepped down as captain after the tournament although he retained slender hopes of continuing his career in the sport's shortest format as a player.

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

"I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it is goodbye from international cricket," he had said when the second season of PSL was underway.

"Now my foundation [the Shahid Afridi Foundation] is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country."

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Sport

Najam Sethi discusses future contribution, farewell ideas with Shahid Afridi

Does Shahid Afridi deserve a farewell game?

Bye-bye 'Boom Boom' as Afridi ends international career

Apr 28, 2017 01:30pm

Shahid is a very good human.

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Sameed

Apr 28, 2017 01:35pm

Sorry state of affairs in Pakistan cricket. Before this, he used to complain that PCB doesn't treat outgoing players with dignity, now when he is actually being offered a testimonial, he has the audacity of declining the offer, just great. Actually, PCB was right not to heed to the demands of these selfish players.

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IAM MALALA

Apr 28, 2017 01:50pm

How he fits in the category of a legendary all-rounder.He was a mediocre player and nowhere near a legend.Tendulkar,Waseem,Imran and Shane are legends.His talent is limited and nothing when compared to the talent of legends.

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M.Saeed

Apr 28, 2017 01:50pm

This is highly negative attitude of Afridi. Nobody demands and get awards or farewells. They are earned. The mere demand of an award or a farewell as a right, makes the person ineligible.

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ASIf kahsmiri

Apr 28, 2017 01:54pm

This is first ever wise move made by Mr Afridi

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analyseS

Apr 28, 2017 01:59pm

Misbah and Younis got 'farewell'? They were part of the Test team because of merit... not just there to give them 'farewell' match....Never seen such a more selfish and arrogant cricketer than Afridi

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Muhammad Adnan

Apr 28, 2017 02:19pm

Amazed to know the cricketers has asked for farewell. PCB should have a clause for farewell's in the SOP.

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bossman

Apr 28, 2017 02:26pm

Can we please close down Afridi's chapter ?

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yaser arafat

Apr 28, 2017 02:27pm

We are unable to understand logic behind because if you had already commitments than there was no question to have meeting with Najam Sethi or even in same meeting you were supposed to declined his offer rather on twitter!

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Que

Apr 28, 2017 02:33pm

Well done in declining their offer - Afridi! You are far better person then the entire PCB!! Hope you play Natwest 2017...

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Sameer

Apr 28, 2017 02:41pm

Right way to do it Afridi.

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zak

Apr 28, 2017 02:42pm

Good decision.

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Shampee

Apr 28, 2017 02:43pm

because they pre-announced it and will stick to it.

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Amir

Apr 28, 2017 02:47pm

A below average player just trying to stay in the lime light

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Jaba jaba

Apr 28, 2017 02:52pm

Does not deserve a farewell anyways!!

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Inam Ali

Apr 28, 2017 02:55pm

If our players decide on retirement, one and for all, and do not keep on taking them back, again & again, like Mr Afridi did, then may be we can set a pattern of proper farewells....... they announce retirement & then take it back & then announce retirement & then take it back.......

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JKhan

Apr 28, 2017 03:01pm

Shahid Afridi you make me proud. There is nothing more important than dignity i.e., Ghairat. Jeetay raho.

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khan

Apr 28, 2017 03:04pm

A very befitting reply to bekadar people. Shahid Afridi will live in our hearts for as long as anyone can hit a sixer in a cricketing arena. And no one will be able to hit one like Afridi. Thank you Shahid.

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haider

Apr 28, 2017 03:08pm

Sethi has absolutely no credibility.

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Ranjit Haripur

Apr 28, 2017 03:14pm

lalla Afridi will be remembered as Pakistan most flamboyant cricketer. He was class all the way.

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Fahad

Apr 28, 2017 03:16pm

@IAM MALALA Dude this guy got us the T20 cup just to name a few. We all know what he is capable of. Even if he was inconsistent.

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Sajid

Apr 28, 2017 03:31pm

Afridi know his greatness and respect, therefore decline the farewell offered. Pashtoon knows how to give respect and take respect.

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SLIDER

Apr 28, 2017 03:32pm

He was a hit or a miss player... Cant be given legend status...

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SLIDER

Apr 28, 2017 03:34pm

@khan Dhoni & Yuvi are much big hitters

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Muhammed Ali UK

Apr 28, 2017 03:41pm

Get over yourself Mr Afridi, you never played for the team so why should we care about you..what a waste of talent.

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Abbas

Apr 28, 2017 03:42pm

Seeking attention again!

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Abbas khan

Apr 28, 2017 03:42pm

What a joke when Afridi says he played with seriousness and in professional manner :) The fact remains that he always played for crowd and his limelight and never for his country. With his irresponsible style, he conveyed a wrong msg to young lot also

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Waqas

Apr 28, 2017 03:58pm

O Afridi, bury the hatchet please.

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SAB

Apr 28, 2017 04:24pm

Can we not get past Afridi...enough of his farewell match. He was just another player who has reached his end.

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Khany

Apr 28, 2017 04:26pm

I dont blame Shaid Afridi because its too late for PCB to give Afridi a farewell. After Afridi protested on twitter against Najim Sethi and Pakistan Cricket Board of being unprofessional by not giving him a farewell. After over a year they decided which is kind of embarrassing.

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Neutral

Apr 28, 2017 04:29pm

Superstar who was key in Pakistan's T20 triumph in ENG. A real crowed puller & an entertainer. Zalmis was the most popular franchise because of this guy. You will see how this will change in the next PSL as he is no more with Zalmis. This comment is from a fan outside Pak.

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SARA

Apr 28, 2017 04:30pm

Afridi is Afridi, legend no doubts as a package. He was taken out of the team due to politics and he should have played the last T20 series against west indies to retire in a good manner

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Saad Malik

Apr 28, 2017 04:33pm

A selfish batsman who never played for the team. His record is mediocre and would always get out trying to hit a six for his own fame when the team needed him to play sensibly to score runs.

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Iqbal bhai

Apr 28, 2017 04:56pm

He has no moral or ethics.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 28, 2017 05:07pm

What else can he do to protect his injured ego?

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rizwan

Apr 28, 2017 05:19pm

Just look at Afridi's career record and see his batting and/or bowling average. He does not come even close 2 top 10 in either category. So pls clarify what kind of a legend he was ?? Number of opportunities he got 2 represent Pakistan, r simply too many. If he were in any other country and with his kind of career record, he wud hv been removed. he did hv some good performances here n there, but he was never consistent. Many times when his team needed him to show grit n true responsibility he showed absolute lack of it. Hence 2 call him a legend defeats the meaning.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Apr 28, 2017 05:29pm

Very sad.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Apr 28, 2017 05:30pm

I wish our players were a bit humble.

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Farhaz

Apr 28, 2017 05:33pm

Good decision by Afridi

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Dawn

Apr 28, 2017 06:16pm

My right for a long time has been to see Afridi go-one way.

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DARA KHAN

Apr 28, 2017 06:17pm

Afridi first need some anger management classes, once he properly recovered (i have doubt) - then may be farewell a good idea.

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J. Gamble

Apr 28, 2017 06:49pm

@DARA KHAN -He doesn't sound angry.

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Khan

Apr 28, 2017 06:49pm

He is arrogant and too involved in himself. He will only be remembered for his arrogance, poor performance and creating groups instead of uniting the team. Just go away quietly Mr. Afridi don't make fun of yourself by "demanding" respect.

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Apr 28, 2017 07:05pm

Can we get over this drama and 10 minutes of fame that Afridi wants. You are done Afridi, go do something else now.

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M. Siddique

Apr 28, 2017 07:09pm

So what was Sethi's version of giving Afridi a farewell?

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azmat shah

Apr 28, 2017 07:15pm

@IAM MALALA The man with most Man of the match awards/ game then any other cricketer in pakistan. Show some respect

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saleem

Apr 28, 2017 07:44pm

@ I AM MALALA...... His record of fastest hundred took someone 20 yrs to break. He is awarded the most MAN OF THE MATCH than anyone in pakistan. I doubt you havn't yet seen or hear about the word cup t 20 in 2009. I dont think you are honest with your country. I guess you are not pakistani either.

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jUNAID

Apr 28, 2017 07:57pm

@azmat shah Comparing him to Wasim Akram though, the greatest cricketer that lived. That is just a joke.

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Kash

Apr 28, 2017 08:04pm

@Sameed exactly

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M Mirza

Apr 28, 2017 08:35pm

Let us , lovers of crocket give him a farewell. Good bye Mr Afridi. thank you for giving us lot of happy viewings.

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Rahul Singh

Apr 28, 2017 09:12pm

@saleem I think what imran says is true.You can easily hit one brilliant knock in 20 yrs career but it's more difficult to hit patience knock all thru 20 yrs

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Satyameva Jayate

Apr 28, 2017 09:52pm

Batting Average Runs: Tests- 36.651. ODIs- 23.57. T-20- 18.01. Bowling Averages: --- Tests- 35.60. ODIs- 34.51. T-20- 24.35 Afridi's Cricketing Career can haedly be called "illustrious". Controversial it surely has been: Caught on TV while Biting his Teeth in to the Ball. His Bigger heart than that of Indians. Intra-Team conspiracies to gain and regain captaincy. His 100 retirements.

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ABBOTTonian 43

Apr 28, 2017 11:02pm

I wish you had had not asked for your farewell yourself.

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pakorawala

Apr 28, 2017 11:35pm

@bossman if he did not learned from past decade how to control temper than its better to divert his energy to welfare work

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option

Apr 29, 2017 12:42am

Good move!

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Waaris

Apr 29, 2017 01:28am

Bye bye Lala

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Imran A.

Apr 29, 2017 02:32am

I think Afridi is looking to continue playing.. Najam Sethi war ensuring Afridi leaves the cricket arena after giving him a farewell. I don't know what Afridi is thinking....

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Shdhsn

Apr 29, 2017 02:41am

What's wrong with this guy? What's the point of making this public?

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Apr 29, 2017 02:55am

His refusal is a slap on face of status quo persons who are Illegitimately in positions of power

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Wo de mingzi

Apr 29, 2017 05:07am

afridi was right, and he has been proven to be correct -- he does get more love in India than in pakistan!

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vorshal

Apr 29, 2017 05:11am

@IAM MALALA - No, I do not agree with you. Afridi was a superstar on his day, and he could change the outcome with his extraordinary batting ability, great bowling, and superb fielding. He is still a star amongst pioneer cricketers.

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Qasim

Apr 29, 2017 06:48am

Pure attitude. If he really cared for his fans he could have taken out 4 hours to play the last T20 - but he couldn't spare those 4 hours.

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prof@uk

Apr 29, 2017 07:00am

The Board and all who are critical of Afridi miss the point. The individual value of PCB is zero. Whatever it is, is because of the players. The spectators are all drawn by the players, not even one person comes to see a match because it is owned by PCB. Without spectators, there is no cricket. And Afridi brought more people in the playgrounds than all his teammates put together. PCB's farewell needs to show that. Period.

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Optimistic PK

Apr 29, 2017 05:25pm

Thanks for leaving us "alone".

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Honest

Apr 29, 2017 09:29pm

Why is Pak sticking to these oldies ...Look at India and the young talent..Rana, Iyer, Samson, Mannan, Manish pandey, Tripathi, Rishabh Pant, Ishan..Pandya brothers..list is endless..NO senior will be missed.. India ar NO ! without, Rohit, Raina, Shami, Dhoni.etc.. All Youngsters of 20 years ..Future looks bright..for a long time into the future India will remain no 1..as prosperity increases more and more youngsters will come..Against England our fast bowlers bowled faster than the English..Can you believe it?? In the coming years express tearaways who are being groomed will hit the circuit... The sleeping Jumbo is awakening.. Exciting times ahead.. Jai Hind.

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Aamir Latif

Apr 29, 2017 10:09pm

Shahid should have accepted PCB farewell with grace to close this subject. With his refusal citing "busy" reasons makes a joke. In the first instance, he should have read writing on the wall afterdecline in his cricket, as a batsman many years ago and as a bowler, in last few years. He should have sense to call it a day after last T20 world cup as we all knew that this will be his last. He would have made his exit dignified instead begging for farewell drama.

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UnshacklePak

Apr 30, 2017 03:10am

Tired of this Afridi in news.

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