KARACHI: Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.
The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this month and his public criticism of the coach ultimately led to him losing the captaincy.
"Yes, I am now retired from all international cricket," Afridi told AFP from London. "I am dejected and hurt and whatever I said about the coach it was in the best interest of the team."
Afridi, who took over as Test and one-day captain last year, abruptly retired from the longer version of the game after a heavy defeat against Australia at Lord's in July 2010.
He then led Pakistan to two one-day series defeats against England and South Africa before winning a 50-over series in New Zealand and guiding the team to the semi-finals of World Cup 2011 where they lost to eventual champions India.
Afridi lashed out at Waqar on his return from the West Indies.
"Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his work," said Afridi, reportedly irked at Waqar's interference in team selection.
When asked about his reported differences with the coach, Afridi replied: "The differences are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved."
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took heed of the public criticism and served a show cause notice to Afridi before announcing that Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in two one-day matches against Ireland.
Pakistan won the series 2-0 under Misbah on Monday.
Afridi said he was roughly treated by the PCB.
"I play for my country and for my people," he said. "I led the team to the semi-final of the World Cup but the reward was such that I was not sure about my captaincy."
Afridi said his decision to retire was final.
Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011
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