Afridi, Razzaq may quit Test cricket

LAHORE Some senior Pakistani cricketers may announce retirement from Test cricket after reports that the PCB intends to bring fresh faces for the coming tournaments. In the back drop of reports that Salman Butt was being considered for Test captaincy, Pakistans Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, who has not played a Test since 2006, is planning to retire from the longer version of the game. Fellow all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is also planning to hang his shoes. There are also reports that the board is deliberately spreading such reports to prepare the players and the public. Reports coming from the board said that both the players would be meeting Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt next week to convey their decision. They are not interested in playing Test matches any longer and just want to concentrate on extending their international careers in the one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches, reports said. Both Afridi and Razzaq last played a Test match in 2006. Reports pointed out that both the players were not interested in touring England for the Test matches against Australia and England because they wanted to spend more time with their families.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt