Afridi's honesty refreshing

smh.com.au - LONDON: The first admirable thing Shahid Afridi did as part of his comeback Test came immediately after it concluded in a crushing defeat for Pakistan. Asked in an on-ground radio interview about the manner of his dismissals in the match - caught from wild slogs when his team needed stability - he volunteered: ''I did the wrong thing. I think my temperament is not good enough for Test cricket … the next Test will be my last Test.''

The sense of shock among the few media types listening to the radio intensified when he made no mention of his retirement in the official television interview that followed. Had it really happened?

It was not until about 15 minutes later when Afridi ventured into the official press conference that the captain indirectly confirmed widely held suspicions that the appointment of a limited-overs specialist at the helm of the Test team had been a mistake. ''I was not interested to play Test cricket but the [Pakistan] Cricket Board here asked me, 'Just go and have a look how you're feeling'. At that time no one was the other choice so I took that responsibility and said, 'OK, I will go and see how I feel'. I [now] know after four days it's difficult to play Test cricket. I think my temperament is not good enough for Test cricket.''

While the 30-year-old made brief references to a side injury that was hindering him, he conceded his biggest flaw was his temperament. When asked if that mean a compulsion to try and hit sixes every ball, he replied with total seriousness: ''You are right.'' It prompted laughter all around the room.

''In Test cricket the demands are totally different,'' he said. ''I was double-minded if I go and take some time or I go and play my natural game. You can say I'm not strong enough mentally.''

The second time laughter erupted was when the enigmatic all-rounder explained the moment he decided to retire: ''When I got out.''

Afridi agreed the way he batted, such as being caught on the boundary by Mike Hussey from just his fourth delivery, made it impossible to instruct teammates to show restraint, particularly to inexperienced players such as top-order batsmen Azhar Ali and Umar Amin.

''A captain should be an example for the youngsters, for the team, but I didn't show any example so I'm not capable to play Test cricket. If I play cricket like this it's better to leave,'' he said. ''The cricket board decided, 'Just go and take a chance, maybe you will enjoy Test cricket as well', but I was not really focusing on Test cricket. I tried but I think I'm not good enough for Test cricket.''

Afridi also promptly but politely rejected an inquiry into whether his decision was at all related to making himself available to play in more freelance Twenty20 competitions.

''I've got enough money,'' he said. ''If I was playing for money I'd continue as a captain of the Test team.''

That Afridi made the announcement without any consultation with his coach, Waqar Younis, or any officials was, at best, unconventional and, at worst, evidence he should not have been there in the first place. Nevertheless, it was thoroughly refreshing to witness a feted professional sportsman so brutally admit his failings without using excuses, or become sullen that hard questions were being asked of him because of his performance.

It ensured that at least one aspect of Afridi's fleeting tenure as Pakistan Test captain could be remembered without scorn.