Cricket is going to miss you, Gul tells Afridi
Right-arm pacer praises retired all-rounder for his help in lean patches
PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan's most-loved cricketer Shahid Afridi, late on Sunday, bid adieu to the game when he announced his retirement from the T20Is — the only format he was still available for selection for the country.
The news came as a surprise for many after the 36-year-old had smashed 54 off just 28 balls for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings in a losing cause.
On this occasion, Pakistan right-arm pacer Umar Gul said cricket will miss the entertaining all-rounder.
He said in his tweet: "It's been an honour playing along with a legend like you. You have been a great force on and off the field. Cricket is going to miss you."
Gul then continued in another tweet and thanked Afridi for supporting him through his lean patches.
'You helped change the game'
Sri Lankan batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya also wished Afridi good luck for his future saying telling Afridi that 'you helped change the game' for good.
Afridi's courteous reply saw him thanking Jayasuriya followed by a comment that "I only ended what you began".
Apart from Gul and Jayasuriya, Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik also said 'all the best' to Lala after praising Afridi's career with the national team.
Afridi said he has no hopes of returning to the national side and will be focusing on T20 leagues and more importantly his philanthropic Shahid Afridi Foundation.
The news came as a surprise for many after the 36-year-old had smashed 54 off just 28 balls for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings in a losing cause.
Shahid Afridi announces retirement from international cricket
On this occasion, Pakistan right-arm pacer Umar Gul said cricket will miss the entertaining all-rounder.
He said in his tweet: "It's been an honour playing along with a legend like you. You have been a great force on and off the field. Cricket is going to miss you."
Gul then continued in another tweet and thanked Afridi for supporting him through his lean patches.
'You helped change the game'
Sri Lankan batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya also wished Afridi good luck for his future saying telling Afridi that 'you helped change the game' for good.
Goodbye Afridi, the last of our superstars
Afridi's courteous reply saw him thanking Jayasuriya followed by a comment that "I only ended what you began".
Apart from Gul and Jayasuriya, Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik also said 'all the best' to Lala after praising Afridi's career with the national team.
Karachi edge Peshawar despite Afridi's heroics
Afridi said he has no hopes of returning to the national side and will be focusing on T20 leagues and more importantly his philanthropic Shahid Afridi Foundation.