Shahid Afridi recalls almost quitting international cricket after Shoaib Malik became captain in 2009

Pakistan cricket has been under the scanner lately after several cricketers made massive allegations on the cricket body. While pacer Mohammad Amir called the selection policy unfair, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik accused PCB (Pakistan Cricket Body) of nepotism. Now, another Pakistan cricketer made a huge statement against the governing body, and he’s none other than Shahid Afridi. The former Pakistan captain recalled how the politics in the internal system almost made him quit international cricket.

One of the finest all-rounders to have played for Pakistan, Afridi had a successful career for the Men in Green. He had even led the side in all three formats. However, he recently revealed there was a lot of politics in the Pakistan team when Shoaib Malik was appointed captain in 2009. The same year, the Men in Green had won the ICC T20 World Cup and even Afridi was in impressive form. However, the all-rounder wanted to call time on his career due to the system.

I almost decided to quit international cricket: Shahid Afridi

“I decided not to play cricket anymore. Shoaib Malik had become the captain and there was a lot of politics going on within the team,” Afridi told Samaa TV. The all-rounder also revealed that a piece of valuable advice from a wise old man made him rethink his decision and he decided not to hang up his boots.

“He said you’re so worried about your own performance and worldly matters. Just compare your hardships to those of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and you will realise that yours are nothing,” said Afridi recalling advice from a bujurg (wise old man).

Notably, Afridi continued to play international cricket after 2009 and even led the national team. He announced his retirement from Tests in July 2010 but continued to be a crucial member of the white-ball setup. Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup. Afridi, who bid farewell to Test cricket in 2009, retired from ODIs post the 2015 ODI World Cup and played T20Is for another couple of years. The all-rounder played his last international game in May 2018.