Pakistani Twenty20 Cricket Captain Steps Aside

Pakistani Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi says he’s stepping aside but will continue playing for the national team.

The statement on April 3 by Afridi came after the team’s poor showing in recent group matches, which drew wide scorn from fans and officials, including the team manager and coach.

He said he intended to "continue playing the game for my country and league cricket and request my fans for kindly keep praying and supporting me."

Pakistan lost three of their four group matches, including one against arch-rivals India. The team also failed to reach the last four of the World Twenty20.

Twenty20 is a shorter, faster-paced version of cricket, which has gained wide popularity in recent years.