Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has revealed that he left Karachi because of the city’s deteriorating infrastructure, saying he was disappointed that years of construction and investment have not brought the improvements he had hoped to see.
Speaking in an interview with former Pakistan cricketer Fawad Alam, Afridi discussed a wide range of topics, including Karachi’s infrastructure, his early cricketing days, the 2010 spot-fixing controversy, criticism surrounding Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s captaincy and his advice to young cricketers.
Afridi Shares His Concerns About Karachi
Afridi began by praising the people of Karachi but explained that moving to Islamabad became necessary for a better quality of life.
Reflecting on his visits back to his hometown, the former captain said he feels disappointed to see roads and infrastructure still in poor condition despite years of development work.
He also questioned why Karachi continues to face infrastructure problems despite significant investment in construction and property development.
According to Afridi, Karachi has tremendous potential, but much more needs to be done to improve the city’s infrastructure and living conditions.
Praises Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway
While criticizing the overall condition of Karachi’s infrastructure, Afridi acknowledged that some projects have brought positive changes.
He specifically mentioned the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, saying it was an example of useful development in the city. However, he stressed that one or two major projects are not enough to meet the needs of a city as large as Karachi.
Afridi also highlighted Islamabad’s infrastructure and location as major reasons behind his decision to relocate. He said the city’s connectivity to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Lahore through the motorway makes travelling more convenient.
Karachi Played a Major Role in Afridi’s Cricket Journey
Despite his criticism of the city’s infrastructure, Afridi spoke fondly about the Karachi where he grew up and began his cricket journey.
He recalled how passionate the city was about cricket, saying children in his neighbourhood would play the sport throughout the day. He also remembered looking up to cricketing heroes such as Imran Khan.
Afridi revealed that he initially started as a fast bowler before eventually switching to spin. He also trained under former cricketer Mohsin Rasheed during his early years.
According to Afridi, Karachi’s club cricket scene was highly competitive, with large crowds attending matches and even established first-class players taking part.
He described earning a place in a Karachi cricket club as a significant achievement and said the city’s cricket culture played a major role in making the sport an important part of his life.
Afridi Reflects on 2010 Spot-Fixing Scandal
The former Pakistan captain also revisited the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, describing it as one of the most difficult periods of his career.
The controversy involved three Pakistan players who were later found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls during a Test match in England.
Afridi said he had concerns at the time and had attempted to protect younger players from certain individuals, but felt that his warnings were not acted upon by team management.
The revelations, he said, came as a major shock because he had not imagined that players within the national team could become involved in such actions.
Looking back, Afridi said he now prefers to leave the controversy in the past.
Afridi Defends His Views on Babar Azam
Afridi also addressed the perception that he has been overly critical of former Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
He said some of his comments have been misunderstood on social media and stressed that criticism should not automatically be interpreted as opposition.
Afridi praised Babar as one of Pakistan’s most consistent players and said he considers him among the best players he has seen in the country.
However, he emphasized that even great players need to continue developing throughout their careers. He compared Babar’s journey with that of India’s Virat Kohli, pointing out that Kohli also developed gradually before reaching the highest level.
Afridi said he has consistently praised Babar, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, while also believing that their individual performances should ultimately contribute to Pakistan winning more matches.
Advice to Shaheen Shah Afridi on Captaincy
Speaking about his son-in-law, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, the former captain revealed that he had advised him to think carefully before accepting the national captaincy.
Afridi said captaincy comes with enormous pressure because the leader is often held responsible when the team does not perform.
He explained that a captain has to manage personal performance, team results and media expectations simultaneously.
Although Afridi tried to discourage Shaheen from taking on the responsibility, he acknowledged that leading Pakistan is a dream for many cricketers and there is nothing wrong with wanting the role.
He also emphasized the importance of giving a captain the authority needed to make decisions effectively.
Afridi’s Message to Young Cricketers
Afridi concluded with advice for aspiring cricketers, urging them to dream big, work hard and remain disciplined.
He encouraged young players to aim for representing Pakistan rather than settling for limited ambitions, while emphasizing that there are no shortcuts to success.
He also warned young cricketers about spending too much time on social media, saying that the pressure and criticism associated with online platforms can negatively affect players during difficult periods.
His message was simple: focus on cricket first, stay disciplined and let your performance speak for itself.
For Afridi, Karachi may have shaped his cricketing journey, but his latest comments show that his connection with the city remains deeply personal—even as he continues to question whether its infrastructure has kept pace with its enormous potential.
