Shahid Afridi To Quit Test Cricket

Shahid Afridi To Quit Test CricketAfter Murali, it's time for stylish Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi to say bye to the international Test cricket, resulting in the closure of one significant chapter in the past of Test cricket in the sub-continent.

Afridi declared that he will give up both Test cricket and captaincy of Pakistan group after the second Test against Australia that begins at Headingley on Wednesday.

Afridi declared his verdict instantly after his side lost to Australia by 150 runs in the first Test at Lords.

He started his Test career versus Australia at Karachi in the year 1998.

The all-rounder has played 27 Test matches and has scored 1716 runs in an average of 36.51.

The Pakistan skipper has scored 5 centuries in Test matches with 156 being his highest score; he has also taken 48 wickets in Test matches with his lethal leg break googly bowling.

He has always attracted the viewers with his 'boom boom' batting and charismatic fielding.

However, Afridi has always said that he is more comfortable in playing One Day Internationals and T20 cricket, than Test cricket.

But Afridi added that he will continue to play for Pakistan in the One Day Internationals and T20s.

He also said that he considers vice-captain Salman Butt is the correct person to lead the Pakistan side in Test matches.

No announcement has been made by Pakistan Cricket Board about who will captain Pakistan in the Test match against England which will follow immediately after the Test series against Australia.

In Pakistan, former cricketers like Rashid Latif, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Moin Khan and Zaheer Abbas reacted strongly against Afridi's decision to quit captaincy and Test cricket. (With Inputs from Agencies)