De Villiers and Kohli both great players: Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi announced his retirement from all formats of the game in February this year ending a 21-year-old international career where he featured in 27 Tests, 398 ODI’s and 98 T20 games. His finest contributions were the twin half-centuries in the semi-finals and finals of the World T20 2009 which led to their maiden World T20 win.

In a recent interaction with his fans on social micro-blogging website twitter, the legendary all-rounder answered a few questions.

Shahid Afridi has played under more than 15 captains in his international career. On being asked about the best he has played under, Afridi rated Wasim Akram as the best leader. The 37-year old has played 58 ODI’s and 5 Test Matches under Wasim’s leadership

@NomanAshfaque W.akram

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 19, 2017

One of the most widely asked questions, the better one out of Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers was asked by a fan from the star all-rounder. Afridi let that one go outside off, as he replied in a diplomatic manner saying that both are equally great.

@haider8769 Both great

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 19, 2017

A fan then asked about his favorite football player and Afridi gave a very standard reply terming Ronaldo and Messi as his favorite.

@SportsBoyShawon Ronaldo and messi

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 19, 2017

Recently, Team India, in a nice gesture, sent a Virat Kohli shirt singed by the cricketers of the Indian Team for Shahid Afridi following his international retirement. It had a message which said, “To Shahid Bhai, best wishes, always a pleasure playing against you.”

It is fair to say that cricket has never seen one like Shahid Afridi before and it will take some time to see someone similar. He announced himself on the international circuit when he smashed a 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in 1997 in his first innings in ODI cricket. That was the record for the fastest ODI century ever which was held by Afridi for 17 years till Corey Anderson broke it in January 2014.

He led Pakistan once in World Cups, in 2011, and helped them reach the semi-finals where they were knocked out by arch-rivals India.