After a massive drought in centuries, Virat Kohli came back to his usual self in the Asia Cup. He even holds a strike rate (146.59) that excels far above that of Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan. The latter has been the highest run-getter in this campaign, with however a pity strike rate of 117! However former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi suggested for Virat Kohli’s retirement on high! The criticisms for that comment weren’t enough unless Indian former spinner Amit Mishra came with a witty reply for Afridi.
While speaking to Sama TV, Afridi said,
“The way Virat has played, the start that he had to his career, there was a struggle initially before he made a name for himself. He is a champion and I believe there comes a stage when you are headed towards retirement. But in that scenario, the aim should be to go out on a high.”
Afridi further added,
“It shouldn’t reach a stage where you are dropped from the team and instead when you are at your peak. It seldom happens though. Very few players, especially cricketers from Asia Cup make that decision, but I feel when Virat does it, he will do it in style and probably in the same manner in which he started his career.”
Some people retire once: Amit Mishra to Shahid Afridi
Fans didn’t accept Afridi’s comment quite nicely. Criticisms rained on him. Meanwhile, Amit Mishra tweeted,
“Dear Afridi, some people retire only once so please spare Virat Kohli from all this.”
Notably, Afridi had gone through multiple retirements in his career. For the first time, he went through that in 2006, from the tests. The retirement was however for just two weeks. He took his second retirement in 2010, after being the captain against Australia.
After the 2011 WC, Afridi announced his all-format retirement. However, he came back again after the board insisted him to do so. He thereafter led Pakistan in the 2015 ODI World Cup. He then finally quit in 2017 from all formats.
