Shahid Afridi to reconsider retirement decision after World T20

Pakistan T20I skipper Shahid Afridi, who is all set to lead his side in the Asia Cup T20 and the World T20 2016 stated that he is facing pressure from family and friends to not retire from international cricket at the end of Pakistan’s campaign in the World T20 in India.

English county side Hampshire has re-signed the all-rounder for all of this summer’s Natwest T20 Blast in England. Afridi, who played ten matches for Hampshire in 2011, will return as the county’s second T20 overseas player for all 14 group matches – starting against Middlesex at Uxbridge on May 27. Assuming Hampshire qualify, ‘Boom Boom’ will be available until the finals on August 20.

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White, who already has Ryan McLaren as his overseas player in all formats, said: “Shahid had a big impact when he was here last time and to have him back for the whole tournament is a real boost. He’s a world-class bowler and has great ability with the bat.” Afridi is likely to be available to Hampshire for the duration of the three-month tournament.

After the 2015 World Cup, Afridi had announced his intention to retire from international cricket following the World T20 2016, but now it appears he has not made up his mind. “I’m not saying that,” he recently told ESPNcricinfo in Dubai when asked if he was going to continue playing. “I am saying there is a lot of pressure on me that I shouldn’t retire from T20. That I can play on, and as such there is no real talent coming through in Pakistan whose place I am taking.

“For a while now there is a lot of pressure from my family, a lot of pressure from my friends, including my elders, who say there is no need for me to retire from Twenty20. That is a huge pressure. For now, in truth, I am focusing only on the World Cup. That is a huge challenge for me. First I want to see where Pakistan stand in the World Cup. Whether I am capable of taking the team forward on the back of my performances. I want to check where I am standing myself. As far as playing goes my fitness is zabardast (awesome). Energy is also there. I can play cricket. But I would be able to tell things clearly after the World Twenty20,” he added.