Afridi ends contract with BBL to play in domestic T20

21 November, 2012

Shahid Afridi - one of the most sought after players in the T20 competition has decided to end his contract with a BBL team, Sydney Thunder and play in the domestic T20 competition.

SHAHID AFRIDI has ended his contract with Sydney Thunder ever after he was given permission to play in the Big Bash League, as he wants to play in the national event (Pakistan T20 domestic tournament) and justify his qualification in the team. Afridi has been a big hit in the Australian T20 league with both bat and ball, but Australian fans are going to miss the big hitting, 'Boom Boom Afridi' with his batting exploits.

Initially, it was PCB, which had denied permission to the Pakistan players to play in the Big Bash, as Pakistan's T20 domestic tournament clashed with Australia, so then PCB did not have much options left. But, the PCB agreed to allow some players to join the BBL, after requests by the Cricket Australia.

Pakistan had granted permission to Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Akmal to play for their respective BBL teams as they had already signed the contract. But, one has to remember that these players would only be playing few matches in the BBL, as they are expected to return for the national camp before the Indian tour, reported mid-day.com. These Pakistani players will travel to Australia around December 8.

The most positive thing about the entire episode is the pulling out of Afridi, who has given importance to a national event, rather than money. Had he been part of the Thunder in this BBL season, he would have easily made a handful, but his decision to stay put in Pakistan and play their domestic tournament speaks volumes about the player's commitment towards Pakistan cricket.

BBL, which is one of the most watched domestic T20 Leagues around the world after IPL has a decent fan following in Australia. The quality of cricket played in the tournament is high class, but Australian fans are surely going to miss the Pakistani players, especially Afridi, who is loved for his lofty sixes.