Will Afridi make another comeback?

E-Paper | June 10, 2026

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

-File photo

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who announced his retirement from international cricket for a third time soon after the World Cup to protest the working of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), says there is tremendous pressure on him to return to cricket.

A final decision on the matter, however, will be taken in a month's time, according to Afridi.

Experts believe the timing for the all-rounder decision could be based on PCB chairman Ijaz Butt's possible exit from the role at the end of October, and keeping the haphazard way Afridi makes his decisions it could be entirely true.

“There is a lot of pressure from fans and friends to come out of retirement, but I will wait for things to improve. I will take at least a month to reconsider my decision.”

Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a full series in UAE, starting October 18.

Afridi, meanwhile, has reiterated that he is work hard to maintain his fitness despite being on the sidelines.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

Bangladesh thrash Australia in rain-hit ODI series opener

Mohsin Naqvi to hold key meeting as PCB mulls changes to Pakistan cricket team

Scotland outclass Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up

Impala

Oct 01, 2011 08:31pm

Shahid please find some other sport. Stay OUT of cricket - esp at National level.

Recommend 0

Saahil suhail

Oct 01, 2011 11:51pm

Aslamualakum It is very exciting news for me AFRIDI may be comeback into a team. He is a match winning player and also a good captain. Presently, he is most experienced player in a Pakistan team. It is also time for Ijaz butt to left the chair. KHUDA HAFIZ

Recommend 0

ijaz

Oct 02, 2011 02:20am

I'ts not Afridi who left the pakistan cricket. It is the dirty politics in cricket that left him no choice to quit temprarily from playing from pakistan team. It is the Misba who played poorly against india scoring slow run rate that cause othe playes to out when chasing run rate. Misba has to go and Afridi sould come back and also should take care of Abdul Razaq not using his potential he has

Recommend 0

abdul kareem

Oct 02, 2011 08:03am

salmz bhai our teams need yur help and giudance i have ever seen a best captain after imran khan ,younis khan now take your decisoin back yuor fan are waiting for u to back in action love u boom boom regards, A.KARIM

Recommend 0

Salim

Oct 02, 2011 12:33pm

Mr. Afridi, After so much time, team seems to be settled and out of controversies, finally. Please play your county matches and make money. Don't try to come back and disturb team's harmony. Nobody including you is indispensible.

Recommend 0

Geeto

Oct 02, 2011 01:46pm

Mr. Afridi plzzzz do not re-consider ur decision. Just stay away from National team. Let them play and find new heroes. Infact, they have already found few. Team does not need your immature behaviour and politics. Its better for you to concentrate on different leagues. Play twenty-20 cricket in different countries.

Recommend 0

Yousaf Azeem

Oct 02, 2011 01:47pm

AoA Mr Afridi I m a huge fan of you and Pakistan cricket team needs you not only as an all rounder but also as a great entertaining player who can disturb the opposition on his day with master hitting and magical bowling but one thing i must say that as senior player and ambassador of Pakistan you should be very careful about your words i like what you say in blunt manner but if you focus on selection of words it would be even more useful for you and finally please come back

Recommend 0

ijaz Mir

Oct 02, 2011 02:59pm

Afridi I am your fan, I even have your jersey. But time has come to say goodbye to Pakistani cricket team. Leave them alone. No one is indispensable. You can play any where in the world God bless you and good luck.

Recommend 0

Hina.K.Chishti

Oct 02, 2011 04:18pm

Just one word "THINK" before you make your decision either way....what you are today its because of Pakistan, so THINK lala, before you decide to come back, obviously if you don't, we will surely miss you, you united the players together as a team, not something you see very often in our cricket team, but if you decide to come back, "THINK" as I said earlier, because no one can gurantee that there will be no BUTT in the future, cricket is political and will always be, if you play for the country, you will take the heat in the same manner you take the credit, its not easy, but no one said doing the right thing is a piece of cake!

Recommend 0

Bob

Oct 02, 2011 05:56pm

Off course!!This has become a norm in Pakistani cricket!!!Players retire/quit only to come back!!Afridi had thought that his decision will leave Pak cricket in shambles and he will be called up again but his move has backfired and he's now trying to stay on the map my making controversial statements as he is scared that people will just forget about him and he'll have nowhere to go..But ideally he should stay away now if he's truly got nation's interests on the top of his head.

Recommend 0

fahad khan

Oct 03, 2011 12:06am

lala bhai make a comeback in pak cricket team, it is a plea to you by a pathan staying in mumbai.

Recommend 0

Arnie

Oct 03, 2011 07:11am

Afridi,no need to disturb the present combination of Pakistan team which had excellent balance of Batsman and bowler at moment.We don't Aizaz Cheema and Junaid Khan being out of team due to you.They can rip through the opposition in all format along with Saeed Ajmal and rest of guys.I think you won't last for more than 1-2 overs,so Pakistan don't need your batting talent and I think just for spinning department ,both the spinners currently including Hafeez,Ajmal and rest are too good for any opposition.Please leave this team alone and focus on your county cricket 20 Overs format.Pakistan team is better off without you at moment.

Recommend 0

Khandq

Oct 03, 2011 07:33am

Afridi.....While you have contributed a lot to Pakistan cricket, you are not indispensable. Pakistan cricket will survive without you. Believe me, I have been a fan of yours, and still am, but I'm a BIGEER fan of Pakistan cricket. As-ta-la-vista!!!

Recommend 0

Abdul Basit

Oct 03, 2011 09:52am

Shaid Bhai plz come back.I dont see the match when u r not there.So plz come.Boom Boom Afridi.............

Recommend 0

Adeel kayani

Oct 03, 2011 12:07pm

Shahid bhai pls wapis aa jay hum ap ko bohat mis kr rhay hai pls

Recommend 0

nasim

Oct 03, 2011 09:26pm

sir you should not come back. e want to see you as a dream hero who is untouchable and stays in our fantassy. Do not spoil ur karisma again. Plz.

Recommend 0

Needu Zahid

Oct 04, 2011 08:45am

Shahid bhai please make a come back in team. Your presence means a lot for the nation and we all want you to lift the next world cup trophy..

Recommend 0

Irfan

Oct 14, 2011 12:27am

Since Afridi is not is team, I have not watched a single match...

Recommend 0

syed a raza

Oct 15, 2011 09:48am

Afridi Bhai please come back b/c u r the one man show who can win next world cup So just forget everything and just play good cricket. Thanks

Recommend 0

waseem

Oct 15, 2011 07:25pm

Afridi I am your fan, i miss you ,and i know you are the best in any way of life . i do not like to watch any match of pk cricket after world cup. but i realy miss you ,you are real hero ,good to see you back and watch you again ...in action

Recommend 0

kamran

Oct 15, 2011 08:29pm

Boom Boom Afridi…………. pls wapis aa jay pakistan team ma hum ap ko bohat mis kr rhay hai pls

Recommend 0

Branded Content

K&N's SmartCooking Recipes: Pancake Sliders

Fun and tasty pancake sliders layered with crispy nuggets, fried egg, fresh salad and creamy sauces for a playful twist on a classic snack.

Airlink launches Hisense in Pakistan, ushering in a new era for consumer electronics nationwide

Airlink Communication Limited, Pakistan’s leading technology manufacturer and distributor, has formally launched Hisense in Pakistan,

OGDC’s strategic drive for sustainable growth and responsible value creation

OGDC has launched a comprehensive and focused production optimisation initiative aimed at reversing natural declines in mature fields and unlocking additional hydrocarbon output.