I want to be remembered as legend after retirement, says Shahid Afridi
The swashbuckling Pakistani all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, said on Wednesday that he still has a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket, but made it clear that he will bid farewell to international cricket at the peak of his career. The reason he cited was that he
wants people to remember him as a legend like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.
"I think I still have a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket. I will retire when I feel I am at the peak of the career and have also contributed to Pakistan cricket as other legends of Pakistan cricket have done,” said the former Pakistan skipper speaking to
media reporters on Wednesday.
"I want to be remembered like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad or Wasim Akram are remembered today. And my ambition remains to reach a consistent scale of performance as these legends did in their careers," he added further.
Asked if he has decided when he would quit international cricket, the hard-hitting right-handed batsman and a skilled right-arm leg spinner said that he had not yet made up his mind. However, he did reiterate that he would retire when performing at the peak
of his abilities so that he can be remembered positively even years after leaving the game.
The 31-year-old batsman came to limelight following his fastest One Day International hundred off just 37 deliveries. He fetched the highest price in the Bangladesh Premier League auction last week, as he was bought by the Dhaka Gladiators for US$700,000.
However, the former Pakistan skipper is unlikely to feature in next month’s BPL, as the league coincides with Pakistan’s ODI and T20 series against England. Afridi has decided to prefer national duty over his personal commitments.
"The Bangladesh league clashes with our one-day and T20 series against England and for me national duty has always remained the top priority because Pakistan has given me a lot," said Afridi replying to a query regarding the Bangladesh Premier League.
The 31-year-old prolific all-rounder said that he wanted to play for Pakistan as his team needs him and vowed to keep the winning sequence intact.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Cricket team has not lost a one-day series since November 2010 and are unbeaten in the Test format of the game since August 2010.
Pakistan will announce its one day and T20 squads for the England series next month.