Premature end to Shahid Afridi's last PSL as he quits tournament citing 'unbearable' back injury

Published
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi speaks in video message posted on his YouTube channel on Sunday.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi speaks in video message posted on his YouTube channel on Sunday.

Quetta Gladiators veteran Shahid Afridi on Sunday withdrew from the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 citing a back injury that has deteriorated to an "intolerable" level.

In a video message posted on his YouTube channel, the man nicknamed Boom Boom said he had been carrying his lower-back injury for more than 15 years, adding it was now causing unbearable pain to his entire body.

"I cannot bear it anymore," Afridi said.

The star-allrounder thanked Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar for his all-out support to him.

"I want to apologise to fans for not being to play the entire PSL and sign off on a good note".

He hoped to undergo the rehabilitation process and expressed his desire to return to the Kashmir Premier League and other T10 leagues in time to come.

Afridi said his welfare foundation was his "second innings and the most important one" to him.

He urged fans to pray for his health. "With the grace of God, I will appear in another league [soon]," said the former captain.

In his last game against Islamabad United yesterday, Afridi bowled four overs and got two scalps for 26 runs. However, he was yet to bat when the team chased down the 205-run target with the loss of five wickets.

It is pertinent to mention here that this was the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.

In my final PSL event, it will be my dream and wish to sign off with another PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017," he had added.

Opinion

Editorial

A new chokepoint
Updated 24 Jul, 2026

A new chokepoint

WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has...
Improved rating
24 Jul, 2026

Improved rating

S&P GLOBAL’S decision to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘B’ with a stable...
More firetraps
24 Jul, 2026

More firetraps

WHILE it was already apparent that death traps dot Karachi, a safety audit by the Sindh government has thrown up...
De-escalation efforts
23 Jul, 2026

De-escalation efforts

WHILE the exchange of fire across the Gulf — and the wider Middle East — continues between the US and Iran,...
Time to integrate
23 Jul, 2026

Time to integrate

PAKISTAN remains one of the least regionally integrated economies in Asia. The trade figures for the last fiscal ...
Modi unnerved
23 Jul, 2026

Modi unnerved

DISCONTENT is visible in India. Delhi has been on the boil since last month. As thousands took to the streets ...