Afridi relinquishes T20 captaincy, but wants to play on for Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced that he is relinquishing the captaincy of the national Twenty20 team, after Pakistan’s disappointing showing in the ICC World T20 tournament.

"Today I wish to inform my fans in Pakistan and all over the world that I am relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 Pakistani team of my own volition," Afridi said in a statement released from his official Twitter account.

On this day, I thank Allah (SWT) for His Kindness and Mercy which enabled me to discharge my leadership duties, to the best of my abilities, for the sake of the honour and prestige of my motherland.

"For me it was a great honour to lead my country in all three formats of the game. My profound thanks to the PCB and its chairman Mr. Shahryar Khan sb. Who gave me the honour to lead the national team,” said the 36-year-old all-rounder.

But, despite stepping down as captain, Afridi said that he wants to continue playing for the national side and league cricket.

"I would also like to inform that InshaAllah I intend to continue to play the game for my country and league cricket etc, and request my fans to kindly keep praying and supporting me for my best future performances for Pakistan (as a player); and in all other arenas of the game, world over."

Afridi faced harsh criticism when his team lost three of their four games to finish behind arch-rivals India, Australia and New Zealand in Group Two, failing to reach the last four of the World Twenty20.

Afridi, who played the last of his 27 Tests in 2010, announced last year that he planned to bow out of international cricket after the World Twenty20 in India.

After defeat to Australia in their final match of the tournament nine days ago, Afridi told reporters: "I'm going to go back home and in the next four to five days I will take a decision and whatever is better for the country, I will go with that."