Quetta Gladiators veteran Shahid Afridi on Sunday withdrew from the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) citing a back injury that has deteriorated to an “intolerable” level.
In a video message posted on his YouTube channel, he said he had been carrying his lower-back injury for more than 15 years, adding it was now causing unbearable pain to his entire body.
“I cannot bear it anymore,” Afridi said.
The star-allrounder thanked Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar for his all-out support to him.
“I want to apologise to fans for not being to play the entire PSL and sign off on a good note”.
He hoped to undergo the rehabilitation process and expressed his desire to return to the Kashmir Premier League and other T10 leagues in time to come.
Afridi said his welfare foundation was his “second innings and the most important one” to him.
He urged fans to pray for his health. “With the grace of God, I will appear in another league [soon],” said the former captain.
In his last game against Islamabad United yesterday, Afridi bowled four overs and got two scalps for 26 runs. However, he was yet to bat when the team chased down the 205-run target with the loss of five wickets.
It is pertinent to mention here that this was the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.
In my final PSL event, it will be my dream and wish to sign off with another PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017,” he had added.
