Shahid Afridi has been a superstar for almost two decades in Pakistan and around the globe. His presence in a match ensures that spectators would throng stadium to the sponsors’ delight.

That is perhaps the reason why Afridi is demanding that he be given a chance to play a farewell game so that he could retire on a high note. He says he deserves a farewell match because of his services to the country.

The player known for his whirlwind knocks had told PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan that he would hang his boots after leading Pakistan in World T20 but in spite of the below-par showing in the tournament, he changed his mind and said there was "immense pressure on him from family and friends not to retire".

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has been quoted as saying that the player deserves a farewell game. Reportedly Shaharyar has also given his consent. Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi has said that he would meet Afridi to talk about his farewell match request.

Pakistan put up a superb show in the only T20 game against England under new skipper Sarfraz Ahmed despite the fact that the team came into the match after being drubbed 4-1 in the ODI series. The team went on to whitewash world champions West Indies 3-0. Now the seventh ranked Pakistan is again a force to be reckoned with.

Young players like Imad Wasim are making their presence felt. The team is gelling well with new skipper Sarfraz. He has led the team in four games immaculately.

Even if Afridi swears that it will be his farewell game as he did before the World T20 is it not possible that if he put up a strong show in the farewell game, he may come up with the excuse that he was under immense pressure from "family and friends" to abandon the idea of retirement. Even if Afridi retires after the farewell game then every former top class player should be given a chance to play a farewell game.

Shoaib Akhtar, a devastating fast bowler, should be given a farewell game. Saeed Ajmal, the spin wizard, deserves more.

PCB officials must take their job professionally and not let emotions overcome rationality.

Afridi has been a star but he is now past. PCB should now focus on the present and help the team keep performing well.

The biggest problem for Pakistan is that we have always been obsessed with stars. It is time PCB learnt from its counterpart BCCI. Virender Sehwag’s retirement should be taken as a guideline.

Players performing much better than Afridi like Shane Watson and Brendon McCullum have retired. Such powerful and selfless decisions have made those teams almost invincible.

If PCB does decide to honour Afridi, it should arrange a function and reward him with tons of certificates and trophies but not an international competitive farewell game in. It will set a bad example.

The World T20 was enough for Afridi to say farewell. People with sanity would not allow him another chance.

Moreover, if Afridi thinks he has done a lot for the country, then he and people like him must know that they are what they are because of their country.