Shahid Afridi wants to enjoy playing league cricket now

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi hasn’t officially retired from international cricket and has continued to keep himself available for the shortest format. But he hasn’t been considered for a spot since in the World T20 2016 in India. The allrounder thinks he has given all he could to Pakistan cricket and now wishes to enjoy the game as a freelance professional cricketer.

He once again hinted international retirement and said playing Twenty20 leagues around the world appears to him as a better option. “I have played all the cricket I wanted to and now I just want to focus and enjoy playing in the leagues,” he said while interacting with the media.

Afridi also backed wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed to lead Pakistan in all the three formats of the game. He believes in the youngster’s ability and praised him for his fighting attitude. “In the end, it is the decision of the Cricket Board who they appoint as captain but if they want him to lead in all three formats it will be good for Pakistan cricket,” he explained.

“I think he has the ability to do well as captain and lead the team. I would support him wholeheartedly,” he continued while talking to journalists at a function in Karachi. Pakistan has not played a home game for quite a while now and Afridi also stands in support of the PCB as they attempt to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. It is hard for the Pakistani fans as they have not played a single home game since 2009.

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“I think the visit of Giles Clarke (ECB chief) is a good sign and it gives out the message that the security situation and law and order in our country is now better,” Afridi was quoted saying.

He also thinks hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Pakistan is a positive move. “I think if we have the Pakistan Super League final in Pakistan and it will also give out a positive message. But I would like to see PSL matches being held all over the major cricket centers in the country,” he added.