Shahid Afridi to retire from ODIs after World Cup 2015
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said that he will retire from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following the 2015 World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand starting February 14, but will continue to play Twenty20s.
Afridi, who retired from Test cricket in 2010, has told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he doesn’t want to be seen as a burden to the ODI side after the big event next year, besides expressing his wish to continue captaining the T20 side, The Express Tribune reports.
Having played 389 ODIs so far, the leg-spinning all-rounder has 7870 runs at a strike-rate of 116.29 and 391 wickets to his name. Boom Boom, as he is fondly referred to for his six-hitting abilities, holds the world record for the most number of sixes in international cricket (443).
Afridi took to Twitter to clarify that he is going out on his own terms. He also revealed that his only regret would be that of losing out on the fastest ODI century record, which he held for 17 long years following his 37-ball ton against Sri Lanka in 1996 at Nairobi, to New Zealand’s Corey Anderson earlier this year.
My 18 yrs dream dedicated to Pak.
First ever player(respect) to hv such hard decision bt will paved way for many new talents!
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 21, 2014My journey has seen many ups and downs but I am feeling satisfied that I am leaving on my own terms.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 21, 2014I am happy about my achievements and records but the only regret I have is losing fastest ODI century record.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 21, 2014