Will Shahid Afridi continue to play worldwide cricket even after World T20?

The former test cricketer’s statement came in response to the 35-year-old’s claim that he is facing huge pressure from his family and friends to not retire from global cricket in April at the end of the World T20 in India.

Afridi, who has played 27 Tests, 398 one-dayers and 90 T20s for Pakistan, has for much of the last 12 months played exclusively in the shortest format, for which he holds the record for most wickets.

However, Afridi had announced his intention to retire from global cricket following the World T20, but now it appears he has not made up his mind.

Afridi quickly became a fans’ favourite in his last spell at Hampshire in 2011, impressing with both the bat and the ball as the club reached the semi-finals of the T20 domestic competition. “That is a huge challenge for me”, the flamboyant all-rounder was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Boom Boom said that first he wants to see how good he can perform in upcoming World T20 before reverting the decision of his retirement.

Shahid Afridi played a key role in Pakistan winning the 2009 World Twenty20. “Whether I am capable of taking the team forward on the back of my performances”, he said.

“I have to look at the results of the team in the Asia Cup and at World Twenty20 and that will help me take a final decision”. He has no plans to retire after T20.

“As far as playing goes my fitness is zabardast [awesome]”.

Pakistan’s leading T20I wicket-taker also said that he can play on, and that there is no real talent coming through in Pakistan cricket whose place he is taking.

Afridi, Pakistan’s captain for the forthcoming World Twenty20 in India, will be available for the whole Blast tournament, Hampshire said.