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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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On DawnNews
Comments (67) Closed
Apr 28, 2017 01:30pm
Shahid is a very good human.
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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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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 01:54pm
This is first ever wise move made by Mr Afridi
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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 02:26pm
Can we please close down Afridi's chapter ?
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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 02:41pm
Right way to do it Afridi.
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Apr 28, 2017 02:42pm
Good decision.
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Apr 28, 2017 02:43pm
because they pre-announced it and will stick to it.
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Apr 28, 2017 02:47pm
A below average player just trying to stay in the lime light
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Apr 28, 2017 02:52pm
Does not deserve a farewell anyways!!
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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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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 03:08pm
Sethi has absolutely no credibility.
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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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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 03:32pm
He was a hit or a miss player... Cant be given legend status...
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Apr 28, 2017 03:34pm
@khan Dhoni & Yuvi are much big hitters
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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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Apr 28, 2017 03:42pm
Seeking attention again!
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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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Apr 28, 2017 03:58pm
O Afridi, bury the hatchet please.
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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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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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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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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 04:56pm
He has no moral or ethics.
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Apr 28, 2017 05:07pm
What else can he do to protect his injured ego?
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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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Apr 28, 2017 05:29pm
Very sad.
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Apr 28, 2017 05:30pm
I wish our players were a bit humble.
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Apr 28, 2017 05:33pm
Good decision by Afridi
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Apr 28, 2017 06:16pm
My right for a long time has been to see Afridi go-one way.
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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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Apr 28, 2017 06:49pm
@DARA KHAN -He doesn't sound angry.
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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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Apr 28, 2017 07:09pm
So what was Sethi's version of giving Afridi a farewell?
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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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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 08:04pm
@Sameed
exactly
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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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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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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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Apr 28, 2017 11:02pm
I wish you had had not asked for your farewell yourself.
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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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Apr 29, 2017 12:42am
Good move!
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Apr 29, 2017 01:28am
Bye bye Lala
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Apr 29, 2017 05:25pm
Thanks for leaving us "alone".
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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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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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Apr 30, 2017 03:10am
Tired of this Afridi in news.
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