Watch | Emotional Asghar Afghan Gets Teary-Eyed During Interview, Says 'It’s Something I Cannot Explain'

During the mid-innings interview, Asghar Afghan got emotional as he had tears in his eyes while explaining the reason behind his sudden decision to announce retirement from all formats of the game.

New Delhi: Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan, on Sunday, played his last international match against Namibia in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup-2021. The senior batsman scored 31 runs off 23 balls, with the help of 3 fours and 1 six during his innings. Namibia ensured to make Asghar Afghan's last international outing memorable as they honored the veteran by giving him a 'guard of honor'.

During the mid-innings interview, the 33-year-old got emotional as he had tears in his eyes while explaining the reason behind his sudden decision to announce retirement from all formats of the game. On Saturday, Afghanistan Cricket Board had officially announced via Twitter that Afghanistan vs Namibia ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 match will be Asghar Afghan's last international match.

“I want to give chance to youngsters," a teary-eyed Asghar said. “I think this is a good opportunity for that. Most people are asking me why now but it’s something I cannot explain."

Atal Asghar Afghan cried after leaving cricket forever
you are the real hero of afghan team
Thank you for your service to Afghanistan
Proud of you! pic.twitter.com/wWklaHI9Qh

— Nisar Afghan (@NisarAfghan47) October 31, 2021

Afghanistan lost their second T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. While chasing the target, Pakistan's Asif Ali hit 4 sixes in the 19th over to help Pakistan attain a memorable win.

Asghar said that the heart-breaking defeat vs Pakistan had hurt the entire team after which he decided to announce his retirement from international cricket.

"In the last match, we were hurt too much, and that’s why I decided to retire. There are plenty of memories, it’s difficult for me, but I have to retire," he said.

Asghar Afghan, the most successful captain in T20Is matches, has played 75 T20Is. Under Asghar's captaincy, Afghanistan won 42 out of 52 matches. The star batter has scored 1358 T20I runs with an average of 21.56.  In 114 ODIs, Asghar has scored 2424 runs at an average of 24.73. The flamboyant batsman has also played 6 test matches. in which he scored 440 runs at an average of 44.