Significantly, the charity match has been given an international status by ICC, which means that Afridi will return to international cricket for just one match. The match is organised to raise funds for the reconstruction of stadia in the Caribbean islands which were damaged by Hurricanes last year.
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Afridi’s fine form and immense fan following earned him a spot in the ICC XI that is slated to play a charity match against the West Indies in Lord’s.
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However an untimely injury cast doubt over Afridi’s participation in the match scheduled in the last week of this month.
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However, on Friday, Afridi confirmed his participation in the World XI match.
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“I will be playing @ICC World XI vs @westindies as I feel strongly to support this as a cricketer & Muslim. I am following the rehab plan my Doctor gave 💯%. My Allah recommends to help people in need with all the power I have. C u @HomeOfCricket on 31st and let’s keep #HopeNotOut,” Afridi wrote in another tweet.
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He was also seen entertaining the fans in the St. Moritz Ice Cricket challenger earlier this year.
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Afridi had called it quits back in 2016 but his love for the game continued to bring him back to the cricket field.
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Afridi was a top performer for the Karachi Kings in the 2018 edition of the Pakistan Super League.
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The former Pakistan captain, who announced his international retirement couple of years ago, is all set to make a comeback.
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Some things never change. Shahid Afridi’s injury-comeback hide and seek is one of those.