Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi says he is facing "huge pressure" from family and friends to not retire in April after the end of the World T20, and that he is now reconsidering his earlier decision to quit the format.
Following the World Cup 2015, Afridi had announced his intention to retire after leading the national side in the World T20 competition in India this year.
But, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday, the allrounder said that he is now reconsidering that decision. Afridi, however, stopped short of saying that he would continue to play in the 20-overs format.
"I'm not saying that," he said when asked if he was going to continue playing. "I am saying there is a lot of pressure on me that I shouldn't retire from T20. That I can play on, and as such there is no real talent coming through in Pakistan whose place I am taking.
"For a while now there is a lot of pressure from my family, a lot of pressure from my friends, including my elders, who say there is no need for me to retire from Twenty20. That is a huge pressure. For now, in truth, I am focusing only on the World Cup. That is a huge challenge for me.
"First I want to see where Pakistan stand in the World Cup. Whether I am capable of taking the team forward on the back of my performances. I want to check where I am standing myself. As far as playing goes my fitness is zabardast (awesome). Energy is also there. I can play cricket. But I would be able to tell things clearly after the World Twenty20."
In the Pakistan Super League, Afridi failed to impress with the bat, scoring only 87 runs in seven innings. But he ended up being the the second-highest wicket-taker for his team with ten wickets.
His side, Peshawar Zalmi, was thrown out of the competition in the third qualifying final by eventual winners Islamabad United, led by Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
Afridi will lead the Pakistan T20 team in the Asia Cup, which kicks off today in Dhaka, before he begins their campaign to bring home World T20 trophy.