Shahid Afridi To Retire From Tests After Headingley

Shahid Afridi To Retire From Tests After Headingley

Shahid Afridi has decided to end his Test career for a second time

©REUTERS/Philip Brown (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has announced that he will retire from Test cricket after the second match against Australia at Headingley, which begins on 21st July.

Speaking to BBC Radio minutes after his side was beaten by 150 runs in the opening game at Lord's, Afridi said that the next Test would be his last.

Having come out of retirement to lead the side in his first Test for four years, he was widely criticised for an innings of 31 in 15 balls in the first innings and he fared little better when he was dismissed for two in the second innings as his side collapsed on their way to a 13th straight defeat at the hands of Australia.

Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after the match, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis confirmed the news and Afridi then told Sky:

"My temperament is not good enough for Test cricket," adding that he feels the team needs a 'proper batsman or a proper bowler' to replace him. He indicated that he intends to continue playing limited overs cricket and captaining the team if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) favours him to do so.

It is expected that Afridi's vice-captain Salman Butt will take over ahead of the four-match series with England, which gets underway on 29th July at Trent Bridge.

Butt had only been appointed to the vice-captaincy ahead of the recent Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the tour to England.

© Cricket World 2010

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