Afridi announces 'retirement' from Tests

zdestiny · Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 55

Shahid Afridi has announced a temporary `retirement' from Test cricket. In an announcement that caught many in Pakistan by complete surprise, Afridi said that he was planning to concentrate only on ODI cricket to ready himself for the World Cup in 2007. But, in a typically Pakistani twist, Afridi said that he would reconsider his `retirement' from Tests after the World Cup.

Speaking to Cricinfo, Afridi played down the news: "It's not such a big decision. I want to concentrate on one form of cricket till the World Cup and that is ODIs. I will reconsider the decision to play Tests after the World Cup. As it is there aren't too many Tests till the World Cup so it isn't such a big deal." Pakistan are due to play at least nine Tests between now and next March.

Afridi cited a variety of reasons for his decision, though foremost among them, he blamed the increasing workload on the modern international player. "There's just too much cricket happening at the moment. The international schedules are completely packed and there is hardly any time off. It's all good that we earn good money but there is just too much cricket." Afridi added he wanted to spend more time with his two daughters and his family, something "I haven't been able to do for some time."

He had been thinking about the decision for a few months and is thought to have decided finally, only after consultations with some close friends earlier this evening. "I have been thinking about it seriously since the series against England. I was thinking of doing it then, but with India coming over so soon after, I decided to hold back until that series was over.

Afridi was adamant, however, that he had no regrets over his decision to leave the Test side just when he seemed settled. "I have no regrets, I mean it's only a temporary decision, but I just want to concentrate on one form of cricket for the moment." Given the sudden timing of his announcement, however, and the fierce speculation now surrounding the circumstances of his axing from the last Test, it is unlikely that we have heard the last of this.