Shahid Afridi Sunday revealed the reason which led to his exodus from Javed Afridi’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) outfit Peshawar Zalmi.
Afridi, on March 25, said in a tweet that he has decided to part ways with Zalmi after playing two seasons for the side – first as the captain and second as a player after giving the leadership to West Indies’ two-time World T20 winning captain Darren Sammy.
“There are a few personal things that I don’t want highlighted in the media,” said Afridi while talking to a private news channel.
“I didn’t want to be a hindrance in his new goals and vision. I have a lot of commitments to my own foundation, so I wouldn’t be able to give my services completely to him also. There a lot of projects of my foundation that I need to set my focus on.”
On a question if the decision will affect the relationship that both Afridi’s families share, the 37-year-old said: “These things don’t affect our families’ friendship and relation.”
He further said that the decision was delayed due to a few commitments he had with Zalmi. “I wanted to take this decision after the PSL final but I had to fulfill a few commitments with Peshawar Zalmi so I delayed it a little. However, I did want to win the PSL with Peshawar Zalmi and we did that.”
“I married in an early age to stay away from controversies, to not diverge from a straight path,” said Afridi in an attempt to explain why he never became a hero for the tabloids.
However, on the question of second marriage, Afridi said every man wishes for it and his is also a desire which will never materialise.
“Every man wants to marry a second time,” Afridi said laughing. “Some do it while others keep wishing for it. Mine is also a wish only.”
“First I will continue playing cricket for one or two years, until I think I am fit,” said Afridi of his future plans.
Meanwhile, he is also focusing on Shahid Afridi Foundation’s (SAF) projects. “I’ve worked with a lot of NGOs for the past nine years during earthquakes and floods.
I have seen the suffering very closely. I want to put my effort in for them [through SAF]. I haven’t made my foundation to compete with any other NGO, it’s just a mean to an end.”