Premature end to Shahid Afridi's last PSL as he quits tournament citing 'unbearable' back injury

Published February 13, 2022
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi speaks in video message posted on his YouTube channel on Sunday.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi speaks in video message posted on his YouTube channel on Sunday.

Quetta Gladiators veteran Shahid Afridi on Sunday withdrew from the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 citing a back injury that has deteriorated to an "intolerable" level.

In a video message posted on his YouTube channel, the man nicknamed Boom Boom said he had been carrying his lower-back injury for more than 15 years, adding it was now causing unbearable pain to his entire body.

"I cannot bear it anymore," Afridi said.

The star-allrounder thanked Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar for his all-out support to him.

"I want to apologise to fans for not being to play the entire PSL and sign off on a good note".

He hoped to undergo the rehabilitation process and expressed his desire to return to the Kashmir Premier League and other T10 leagues in time to come.

Afridi said his welfare foundation was his "second innings and the most important one" to him.

He urged fans to pray for his health. "With the grace of God, I will appear in another league [soon]," said the former captain.

In his last game against Islamabad United yesterday, Afridi bowled four overs and got two scalps for 26 runs. However, he was yet to bat when the team chased down the 205-run target with the loss of five wickets.

It is pertinent to mention here that this was the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.

In my final PSL event, it will be my dream and wish to sign off with another PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017," he had added.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...