Afridi was sold to the Dhaka franchise for $700,000 – the highest bid for any player in the auction – and would have featured in the tournament to be played from February 9 to 28. However, Afridi, the first choice for all the bidders, expressed his unavailability for the Bangladesh league.
‘I won’t take part in the BPL,” Afridi told The Express Tribune from Australia where the all-rounder is taking part in the Big Bash League.
“It’s clashing with the limited-overs series against England in the UAE and that’s my focus. My preference has always been my national team and I’m looking forward to giving my best against England.”
The experienced cricketer, however, felt honoured to have been sold for the highest amount, adding that he was ‘happy that I’ve been chosen above many famed cricketers’.
Afridi also confirmed that he will not be taking pat in the earlier matches which do not clash with Pakistan’s schedule.
“I’ll utilise those days for training. I can only think about playing in the league when I don’t have national commitments.”
Earlier, the all-rounder also expressed his unavailability for the opening stages of the South Africa domestic Twenty20 competition.
Saeed Ajmal ($100,000), Rana Naved ($100,000) and Imran Nazir ($85,000) were also bought by Dhaka Gladiators. West Indians Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, and Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik ($150,000) were among the other foreign players sold in the auction.
Player Sold for
Shahid Afridi $700,000
Shoaib Malik $150,000
Saeed Ajmal $100,000
Rana Naved $100,000
Sohail Tanvir $100,000
Kamran Akmal $100,000
Abdul Razzaq $100,000
Imran Nazir $85,000
Mohammad Sami $70,000
Fawad Alam $45,000
Qaiser Abbas $25,000
Faisal Iqbal $25,000
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (21)
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The Two Lalas have impressed me. SA and IK, well done !
a good precedence
@antanu.. When did Indian cricketers shun national duty to play in leagues? care to explain your comment?
hahahaaha...the guy who wanted to play every IPL and not allowed will always do like this...because BPL is not as big as IPL that is why....lol
He lost all my respect when he sold us against india in semi final.
I don't want to take any credit from Afridi for choosing country over club duty, however, one must also understand that the $700,000 price tag was on the ownership of Afridi by the club and the same was not his salary. I am sure that his salary wouldn't have been more that $20,000, an amount that he could possibly make while playing for the national side.
shahid khan afridi well done,
hope you have alot of success in 2012,
all out wish's n prayer are with u
One word for Afridi: RESPECT!
LOL...i can simply laugh at this....The Deal was only for Semi Final and Final as he wont be available during Pak and Eng odi series....Semi Final and Final are after Pak ODI series so he will still get those 700,000 dollars. The deal was only for Semi Final and Final. This is just a tactic to fool fan like you that he left money for Country. Such Emotional Fools we have.
Afridi won me back as his fan, and this time probably forever... :-)
our indian cricketers should learn from this.IPL and its huge money has made them ignore national pride. well done afridi...sports need plyers like you.
What a great player he is, no wonder.
Undisputed King of International cricket "BOOM BOOM AFRIDI"
Unbelievable. He's a true icon of Pakistan. This was another master stroke - all hail Afridi!
he gave more reasons to his fans to continue their love for him :)
Lesson for Pakistani cricketers, money is not important but the country is:) appreciated his effort! Indians should see, Pakistan did not participated in premier league, still BOOM BOOM Afridi is the highest paid cricketer for BPL.
afridii we love u :D
Holy *@&^$@. He shunned $700,000 for the country Thats money many people couldn't even have in their lifetime. Proud of you Afridi bhai.
This is one of the many reasons why I truly love and respect Shahid Afridi with all my heart -Shahid plays for dedication to the game of cricket & love for his nation - a true patriot whose decisions can never be swayed by temptation of $$ :)
Big-Hearted Afridi, undoubtebly, always, you keep Pakistan infront, and as now you'r among the only few Brand Ambassador for Pakistan/ Pakistan cricket.
I wish you can present a contractual offer to bidders to collaborate BPL with Pakistan's T20 tournament let it expand.
Way to go Lala!
Lala= King always sets an example ..