‘Boom Boom’ Afridi ends int’l illustrious career

AFP, SHARJAH: Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career.
The 36-year-old star had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India.
He stepped down as captain after the tournament although he retained slender hopes of continuing his career in the sport's shortest format as a player.
“I have said goodbye to international cricket,” said Afridi after smashing a 28-ball 54 in a Pakistan Super League match for Peshawar Zalmi in Sharjah.
“I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it's goodbye from international cricket.
“Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country.”
Nicknamed 'Boom Boom', Afridi had been a fan favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball one-day century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 18 years.
He became known as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan's early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.
After stopping short of retirement following Pakistan's first round exit at the 2016 World Twenty20, Afridi had wanted to play a farewell Twenty20 match against West Indies in United Arab Emirates in September.
But selectors, with one eye on the future, did not pick him in the squad.
His blistering breakthrough century in Nairobi in 1996 was only surpassed by New Zealand's Corey Anderson's 36-ball hundred against West Indies at Queenstown in 2014.
South African AB de Villiers then bettered the record further with a 31-ball century, also against the West Indies, at Johannesburg in 2015.
Afridi's rapid-fire century in Kenya made him an instant hit with the crowds who expected fireworks every time he strolled to the crease.

Shahid Afridi international career

Test Batting 
Mat     Inns     NO     Runs     HS     Ave     
27        48        1      1716     156     36.51
Test Bowling 
Mat     Inns     Balls     Runs     Wkts    Econ     
27         47      3194     1709       48     3.21  
ODI Batting
Mat    Inns    NO    Runs    HS    Ave
398     369     27     8064     124     23.57     
ODI Bowling     
Mat      Inns      Balls       Runs     Wkts    Econ
398     372     17670     13632     395     4.62 
T20Is Batting 
Mat    Inns    NO    Runs     HS        Ave
98        90     26     1405     54*     18.01     
T20Is Bowling 
Mat    Inns    Balls     Runs    Wkts    Econ    
98        96     2144     2362     97        6.61

Boom Boom Afridi ends intl illustrious career

AFP, SHARJAH: Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career. The 36-year-old star had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India. He stepped down as captain after the tournament although he retained slender hopes of continuing his career in the sports shortest format as a player. I have said goodbye to international cricket, said Afridi after smashing a 28-ball 54 in a Pakistan Super League match for Peshawar Zalmi in Sharjah. I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but its goodbye from international cricket. Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country. Nicknamed Boom Boom, Afridi had been a fan favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball one-day century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 18 years. He became known as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistans early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory. After stopping short of retirement following Pakistans first round exit at the 2016 World Twenty20, Afridi had wanted to play a farewell Twenty20 match against West Indies in United Arab Emirates in September. But selectors, with one eye on the future, did not pick him in the squad. His blistering breakthrough century in Nairobi in 1996 was only surpassed by New Zealands Corey Andersons 36-ball hundred against West Indies at Queenstown in 2014. South African AB de Villiers then bettered the record further with a 31-ball century, also against the West Indies, at Johannesburg in 2015. Afridis rapid-fire century in Kenya made him an instant hit with the crowds who expected fireworks every time he strolled to the crease. Shahid Afridi international career Test Batting Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 27 48 1 1716 156 36.51 Test Bowling Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts Econ 27 47 3194 1709 48 3.21 ODI Batting Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 398 369 27 8064 124 23.57 ODI Bowling Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts Econ 398 372 17670 13632 395 4.62 T20Is Batting Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 98 90 26 1405 54* 18.01 T20Is Bowling Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts Econ 98 96 2144 2362 97 6.61