Mohali: There is a joke in international cricket circles that Shahid Afridi announces his retirement ahead of almost every major tournament. Will he, wouldn’t he? That was the question on everyone’s lips as fans made long queues ahead of the Australia-Pakistan match at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday afternoon. Draped in white and green — the national colours of Pakistan — most of them were rooting for Pakistan and were anticipating Afridi’s retirement, who had hinted a few days ago that the game on the day could be his last.
Afridi, who is set to be replaced as skipper after the World T20, though was non-committal on retirement and said at the toss, “I haven’t taken any decision (on retirement). I will do it in front of my nation.” He added that family and friends did not want to him to call it quits yet. “When I go back home, in the first four-five days I will make the decision. Whatever is better for the country, There is pressure, media pressure. As a player, I am fit. As a captain, I am not fit,” he said. Afridi did not shy away from thanking “people who came and supported from Pakistan and Kashmir.”
