Sports

Afridi wishes to enter politics

Former Pakistan T20I captain also quashes rumours of his retirement

Sports Desk July 11, 2016

Shahid Afridi says he would want to join politics after ending his playing career. PHOTO: REUTERS

Former Pakistan T20I captain Shahid Afridi said yesterday that he wishes to enter politics later in life, but would be focussing on his charity work for now.

In an interview with BBC Urdu, the 36-year-old said that he would want to join politics after ending his playing career. “I wish to enter politics, however, some well-wishers have advised me against it,” he said. “In my eyes, a politician is a servant of the people and he should serve people,” he added.

Nevertheless, the all-rounder said that he can also serve people through his charity and social work. “I can also serve the people without entering politics through my welfare organisation,” he said.

Afridi, Shehzad join hands once again. This time for a good cause

The former T20I captain further said that through his Shahid Afridi Foundation, he is keen to establish a school for the less privileged.

During the interview, Afridi also quashed talk of his retirement, saying he will continue to play for Pakistan in T20Is.

“I wish to continue playing limited-over cricket, whether it is at national or domestic level or leagues, I think I am fit for the game,” he said.

Afridi is currently representing Hampshire in the England’s domestic T20 competition.

World T20 victory united Pakistanis: Shahid Afridi

Earlier, the 36-year-old was not included in the boot camp ahead of Pakistan’s tour of England, with many pundits suggesting it was time for the flamboyant all-rounder to call time on his two-decade-long career.

On April 3, Afridi resigned as Pakistan’s T20I captain after the national side’s poor performance in the Asia Cup and World T20 tournaments.

This article initially appeared on Emirates 24/7

COMMENTS (9)

Sawaiz | 8 years ago | Reply He is boom boom Afridi! He can do what he wants! He is 2nd ranked all rounder and 4rth ranked bowler ATM i Think that is enough to justify that he is the Greatest all rounder of t20 cricket

Muzzammil | 8 years ago | Reply For all you nutjobs questioning the validity of his 36 years of age, do some reasearch. He started playing international cricket at the age of 16 in 1996. So yes most of you around his age bracket were in high school. He should have been too had he not been into cricket. He was born in 1980, deal with it.

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roadkashahzada | 8 years ago | Reply if he joins PTI, he ll be termed as younger version of IK. if he joins PMLN he ll be labeled as evil. wherever he goes, but isnt it an irony that we are going to get another leader who did nothing but playing cricket throughout his life and showing mediocre record?

Lolz | 8 years ago | Reply @F Khan: He is a PML-N supporter and has already held meetings with Nawaz Sharif. The poor leaguers might launch him to counter the fame of mighty Khan. Moreover, atleast PTI think, whereas Noon league would always rely on casting spells!

Karsaz | 8 years ago | Reply With his consistent retirement statements, he can truly represent one party who acts in a similar way of getting in and out of government!

F Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Shahid will turn out to be a good politician as he is doing it on the job in the cricket team for almost 10 years now. I would suggest him to join PTI. He will be welcomed there as most of them in PTI talk first and think later like him.

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply @Brainy Bhaijan: Afridi has a 'way' with numbers ! He should forget being a politician and prepare for his actuarial exams instead.

Brainy Bhaijan | 8 years ago | Reply A more appropriate age number for Afridi should between 40 and 42. He is definitely not 36 years old. There is a video of his match where he was shown to be 21 years old and that was in 1996. This should make him 40 or 41 years old.

Brainy Bhaijan | 8 years ago | Reply How come afridi is only three years older than me? I used to be in high school when I heard his name for the first time, or saw him playing a match. This is just plain weird.

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