Asghar Afghan quits international cricket

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan’s former captain Asghar Afghan has announced his retirement after Sunday’s T20 World Cup match against Namibia.

The all-rounder said in a video message on his Facebook page: “I will retire from international cricket after the game against Namibia.”

The right-arm medium pacer said in his Pashto video: “I want more and more youngsters to get the opportunity to play for Afghanistan. Therefore, it’s expected that tomorrow will be my last international match…”

A member of the national team at the ongoing T20 World Cup, Afghan’s resignation has been accepted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

The ACB said it welcomed and respected the former skipper’s decision and “expresses gratitude for his services to the country”.

Asghar Afghan, starting his international career in 2009 with an ODI against Scotland in a World Cup qualifying game, scored 2,424 runs in 114 ODIs at an average of 24.73 and a strike rate of 66.77.

In their maiden Test match against India in Bengaluru in 2018, he captained Afghanistan. In the six Tests he played, he scored 440 runs.

Meanwhile, skipper Mohammad Nabi said he was shocked to learn of his “good friend” and brother Asghar’s retirement. Nabi hailed him as one of the shining stars of Afghan cricket.

Afghan thanked all his fans, the people of Afghanistan and former cricketers who helped him find his way to the national squad.

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