Afridi to quit cricket next year

Karachi - Pakistani allrounder Shahid Afridi Thursday announced he would retire from Twenty20 cricket next year, ending a colourful international career which earned him unmatched popularity in his homeland.

The 35-year-old retired from one-day cricket after last month's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand where Pakistan reached the final eight, but said he would continue to play the shortest form of the game.

"I will retire from Twenty20 cricket after next year's World Twenty20," Afridi, who left Test cricket in 2010, told reporters. "I will continue to play county in England and a few Twenty20 leagues but my international career will end next year."