Signs positive for Afridi BBL return

Pakistan firebrand Shahid Afridi has shown the strongest signs yet he may be willing to make a return to the KFC T20 Big Bash League, signing with Northamptonshire in the England domestic Twenty20 competition and entering himself in the Caribbean Premier League draft.

Afridi announced his intended one-day international retirement following the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup late last year, but his desire to continue playing the shortest format could leave the door open for a possible BBL return.

The 34-year-old enjoyed success as part of the Melbourne Renegades in BBL|01, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 20.80 along with 69 runs at an average of 23.

“After the massive impact overseas players such as Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Darren Sammy had on the Big Bash League this season it’s encouraging to see Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi appearing to head down a T20 career path following his ODI retirement at the end of the World Cup,” Big Bash League Senior Manager Anthony Everard told bigbash.com.au.

“Of course, Afridi played in BBL|01 with Melbourne Renegades and he would be a welcome addition to the BBL|05 edition.”

Pietersen (293 runs at 41.85) and BBL|04 Player of the Tournament Jacques Kallis (235 runs at 39.16 and five wickets 32.20) all put in strong showings across the six-week tournament, well beyond the conclusion of their international careers.

Making his ODI debut for Pakistan in 1996, Afridi blasted a 37-ball century in his first international innings against Sri Lanka in Nairobi.

Shahid Afridi burst onto the scene in 1996

That innings featured 11 sixes and six boundaries and set the stage for what would go down as one of the most enigmatic careers in cricket history.

From a century in his just his second Test match to a World T20 crown in 2010 and a two-match ban for biting the ball that same year, Afridi has never been far away from the headlines.

But it’s his skills on the cricket pitch that Northants head coach David Ripley will be hoping gets his, and their newest addition, side into the papers.

"Shahid is without doubt the most outstanding spin bowling all-rounder in one-day international cricket of the last five years,” he said.

“He is a fierce competitor and undoubted match winner with bat and ball."

Former Australian World Cup-winning allrounder and current CPL International Cricket Director Tom Moody is just as excited to have Afridi amongst those jostling for a contract in the Caribbean.

“Once again, the excitement and competition level has been heightened with the addition of Pakistan cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, to the roster for the CPL 2015 Draft,” Moody said.

“With CPL attracting some of the biggest names and most talented players in cricket, the tournament is set to electrify the region once again this year.”