Shahid Afridi to play National One-day Cup final for HBL

A few days after he denied any plans of announcing international retirement the news comes that former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi will play the final of National One-day Cup for the Habib Bank Limited against Sui Southern Gas Company on Monday (January 2, 2017) in Karachi.

An HBL team official confirmed the news that Afridi will play the match. He said that the allrounder had expressed his willingness to be a part of the team for the final of 50 overs domestic tournament. “Afridi is available and has expressed desire to play the final. He’s going to be in action on Monday for the team in final,” Sohail Mazhar, head of sports HBL was quoted by Geo.tv.

Afridi who had retired from One Day International cricket after the end of Pakistan team’s journey in the World Cup 2015 has featured in just one List A match since then and that was in the Royal One Day Cup for Hampshire v Gloucestershire in England.

With Afridi in the team, Mazhar said that they will decide about the skipper before the toss. Reports suggested that despite the veteran being picked in the squad batsman Ahmad Shahzad will be the captain for the final as well. Afridi agreed that he has expressed his willingness to play the match.

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Today on the first day of the New Year 2017 he posted a tweet requesting the people of Pakistan to strive towards making the country greatest. He wrote – “We should all play our part and look to carry forward the good done in 2017 & onwards, to make our nation the greatest one ever”

We should all play our part and look to carry forward the good done in 2017 & onwards, to make our nation the greatest one ever ??

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 31, 2016

Earlier while quashing any ideas of retirement Afridi had told the media,“I have played 20 years of international cricket for Pakistan and not the PCB. I am not dependent on anyone for a match. The love and support I have got and get from my well-wishers and fans is enough reward for me,”

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“I don’t think my career is over and I am enjoying myself and I will continue to play at the highest level. As far as Pakistan selection is concerned that is for the selectors to decide,” he had said.