Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi has asked national selectors not to put pressure on him by making unsolicited statements and also made it clear that the decision to quit the game remains his prerogative.
After recalling Afridi in the One-day squad for the series against South Africa, chief selector Iqbal Qasim had said the all-rounder will have to justify his selection by putting up a good show.
“I don’t know in what context or scenario Iqbal Qasim said these things for me. But no one should put pressure on me,” Afridi told reporters.
“My fans still want me to continue playing and I will decide myself till when to continue playing or when to leave,” Afridi added.
Afridi said that he was determined to do well for the country and no one needs to remind him that.
“I have always said that I will never give anyone a chance to tell me that it is time for me to go. I am going to South Africa in a confident state of mind and I am ready for the challenge and to perform well as I have done in the past,” he said.
The chief selector’s remarks about Afridi generated a lot of debate in the cricket circles with many former players and critics insisting that Qasim had made unnecessary comments.
Asked about his struggle in batting, Afridi said one couldn’t play aggressive all the time batting at number seven.