ISLAMABAD // Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced he has stepped down as Pakistan's captain in the game's shortest format following his team's early exit from the World Twenty20 tournament.
The 36-year-old all-rounder, nicknamed “Boom Boom” for his fierce hitting, had suffered a drop in form over the past two years and was unable to steer Pakistan through the group stages of the competition in India.
“Today I wish to inform my fans in Pakistan and all over the world that I am relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 Pakistani team of my own volition,” he said in a statement.
See also:
Dileep Premachandran: Eye on India: As Virat Kohli showed at World T20, talent wins games, teamwork wins titles
Dileep Premachandran: Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi's legacy well regarded in India
Osman Samiuddin: Australia prove that Pakistan are unfit to face the elite in World Twenty20
Afridi was appointed T20 captain for the second time in 2014, with his contract set to expire following the World T20 in India in 2016.
He led the team to the semi-finals of the same tournament in a previous stint as captain in 2010, but was removed a year later.
In 43 matches as captain, he led his team to 19 wins, 23 losses and one tie.
“For me it was a great honour to lead my country,” he said. “I intend to continue to play the game for my country and league etc, and request my fans for kindly keep praying and supporting me for my best future performances for Pakistan.”
Last week he took to Facebook and Twitter to issue a one-minute apology to the cricket-mad country.
Pointing to the star on his Pakistan jersey, he said: “For this star, and these colours, when I come to a ground, I carry the weight of my people’s hopes with me.
“Today, I, Shahid Afridi, apologise to the whole nation for not being able to fulfil the hopes of myself and my team.”
The 2009 champions had been widely criticised by fans for a lacklustre performance at the World T20 with just one victory, against unfancied Bangladesh, and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.
Afridi has been a fan favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 17 years.
He became known as a bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan’s early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.
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Three stars
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
