Afridi insists players of distinction must be given respectful farewell

Karachi (Pakistan), Sept.15 (ANI): Amid increasing speculation that Shahid Afridi could make a comeback to international cricket for a potential farewell match, the former captain has insisted that cricketers who serve the country with distinction deserve a rousing send-off. "We don't have a tradition of retiring players gracefully, which makes it tough for them to decide when to call it a day since we all have a desire of exiting on a high," Afridi was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. "Players must exit respectfully since the ones who serve the country with distinction deserve honour. I have had a discussion with Inzi Bhai [Inzamamul Haq] who is an elder to me and we will do what is beneficial to both Pakistan cricket and my own self," he added. According to reports, the 36-year-old flamboyant all-rounder met chief selector and former captain Inzamam requesting him to allow him to play a game in the upcoming three-match T20 series before calling curtains on his glittering career. Afridi, who has made 98 T20I appearances, is the leading wicket taker in the shortest format of the game with 97 scalps and has scored 1405 runs at an average of 18. The all-rounder had stepped down from the captaincy after the Asia Cup T20 and World T20 tournaments, where Pakistan could only manage to win just three out of eight matches. He had earlier announced retirement from One-Day Internationals after the 2015 World Cup. Afridi also reiterated that he had every intention of quitting the game at the end of the World T20 held in India earlier this year but added that the miserable performance of the team quashed his hopes of a 'happy ending'. (ANI)