Shahid Afridi, Retirements and u-turns — A never-ending saga

Among many things associated with former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, the tendency to make sudden retirement announcements and just as shockingly make u-turns on each of them is a notorious one that still attracts laughter. Afridi was as colourful a character as any that the cricket world has seen, who often found himself in the […]
 
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Shahid Afridi, Retirements and u-turns — A never-ending saga

Among many things associated with former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, the tendency to make sudden retirement announcements and just as shockingly make u-turns on each of them is a notorious one that still attracts laughter.

Afridi was as colourful a character as any that the cricket world has seen, who often found himself in the midst of controversies and some of those even led him to bid a premature adieu to the game. But on each occasion, he returned soon to represent his country again.

While the cricketer would have his own reasons and explanation for all of his retirement announcements and the u-turns that invariably followed, this habit of his is now part of jokes that are still rife over social media.

In the latest turn of events, Afridi has strongly indicated that the next year’s PSL for Queeta Gladiators will be his last assignment in competitive cricket. The 44-year-old quit international cricket back in 2017 but has continued playing in PSL since. However, there are hints from the cricketer that the PSL 2022 “maybe” his last.

“Maybe this ends up being my last PSL,” Afridi told reporters, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “I would like to play for Quetta Gladiators this season, provided Multan allow me to leave. If Nadeem Omar and Quetta’s owners want to have me, I would love to represent them.”

With retirement the point of attention again, here’s a detailed list of times Shahid Afridi has put an end to his playing career in some form or the other, only to return and resume playing.

Shahid Afridi, Retirements and u-turns — A never-ending saga

Also Read: When Nathan Lyon’s Burnt Toast Led To Delay In A Sheffield Shield Game

 

Shahid Afridi, Retirements and u-turns — A never-ending saga

Shahid Afridi has taken many retirement calls and u-turns.

Shahid Afridi and his many retirement u-turns

1. Shahid Afridi retires from Test cricket, only to comeback two weeks later

Afridi’s love affair with retirement announcements first came to light 15 years back. In April 2006, the explosive batsman and clever wristspinner shocked everyone by calling time on his Test career. Afridi wanted to focus only on ODIs heading into the following year’s World Cup in the Caribbean.

But only two weeks after making the headlines, Afridi was in the limelight again, as he confirmed that he will be making a return to the longest form of the game. It is believed, the PCB regime at the time persuaded the all-rounder to make a comeback.

Interestingly, though, Afridi played only one more Test in his career and that came in 2010.

2. Retires in May 2011, makes comeback in October

The next instance of retirement and u-turn from Shahid Afridi came five years later. During the summer of 2011, Afridi felt betrayed over PCB’s decision to sack him as Pakistan’s ODI skipper and chose to make his displeasure clear by calling it quits in the month of May from all international cricket.

But, as was being speculated in media at the time, Afridi made a return to play for his country only five months later after mending ways with the national cricket board.

3. Calls time on ODI career in 2012 but plays till 2015 World Cup

Months after his latest u-turn from retirement, Shahid Afridi considered putting an end to his ODI career. The idea was to allow the selectors and the management to groom younger talents for the next World Cup.

However, that proved to be another false dawn as far as Afridi and retirement are concerned, as he brought his 50-over career to a close only after the quadrennial event in Australia and New Zealand three years later.

4. New year, old Shahid Afridi

With Afridi living upto his word for the 50-over retirement, everyone trusted him when he announced that he intends to quit international cricket once and for all after the 2016 T20 World Cup in India.

Funnily, however, at the heels of the marquee ICC event, Afridi revoked his stance and said he will reconsider the option of continuing his T20I career after the tournament.

5. Finally it’s over in Pakistan jersey. Or is it?

In February 2017, Afridi again called time on his international career during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) game. At the conclusion of a game for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings, Afridi offered a “goodbye” to international cricket but said he intends to continue playing the PSL.

So far there hasn’t been a suggestion from Afridi that it wasn’t the final time he called it quits from international cricket. But knowing the man, you never know when a u-turn may be taken. He is forever “36”, remember?