Multan Sultans star all-rounder and Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi ended the PSL 2019 campaign on a high with a brilliant display with the ball in a big win over Lahore Qalandars in Karachi on Monday and then quashed rumours over his PSL retirement, stating he will play next year.

Both Multan and Lahore were out of the playoff race even before the match began so there was not a lot at stake as such. Even so, players in both teams would have wanted to finish the campaign on a positive note and it was Multan who came out on top, restricting Lahore to 140-8 and chasing down the runs with seven wickets and 45 balls in hand.

Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, picking up 2-18 from his four overs. Also, he was the one who hit the winning runs in the chase.

Afridi was in the news for another reason as he jumped the boundary hoardings and did a lap of the National Stadium, greeting fans and acknowledging their cheers.

It was seen as a lap of honour in possibly his final PSL game since Afridi had been struggling with knee problems for more than a season. However, after the match Multan captain Shoaib Malik clarified it was not the last PSL match for Afridi and added the lap of honour was just to “please the crowd”.

“I wish he plays more and more,” Malik was quoted as saying.

Afridi himself cleared the air over the situation, stating he will play in PSL next year. “I haven’t left cricket, I am still playing. I don’t know who I will play for next year but I will surely play,” Afridi was quoted as saying.