I will quit if I am a burden: Afridi

Boom Boom says seniors need to take responsibility or leave the game

KARACHI: Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi has said ‘I would quit’ if ‘I feel that I am going to be a burden to the team’, also voicing concerns over the lack of performance from the seniors.

The 35-year-old, who retired from the ODIs after a record 398 caps, has had a poor run at the helm since regaining captaincy in the shortest format last year. In four games since October, Afridi-led Pakistan have lost three.

The sole win was recorded in the first T20 of the two-match series against New Zealand, who won the next game to square the series. Australia, and now Bangladesh, have won their one-off games at a canter against Afridi and his men.

“The fact is that the senior players are letting down the team,” said Afridi. “We can’t expect to win much with our current poor form. I want to lead from the front, and if I feel that I’m going to be a burden, then I’ll quit the format well before next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in India.”

Afridi was a victim to a poor umpiring decision in the Mirpur clash. The big-hitter, who promoted himself to number three in the batting order, was adjudged caught behind when he had scored 12.

Afterwards, he looked a shadow of his former self, conceding 25 runs in three overs with the ball.

“Pakistan cricket is going through a tough phase,” he added. “If the seniors don’t contribute, then the problems would only increase. We need to experiment with youngsters and form a potent combination before the World Twenty20, but for that we need the support of the established players.”

Afridi, who remains the most popular cricketer in the country, believes that the team desperately needs a hard-hitting all-rounder who can make meaningful contributions both with the bat and the ball.

“We need a big-hitting all-rounder,” he said. “We lack stroke players in the team who can play big shots at any given time. We hope to sort this issue before the world event next year.”