Afridi reconsidering retirement plans

Pakistan's flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi is reconsidering his decision to retire from international cricket at the end of ICC World T20 as he is facing "huge pressure" from family members and friends.

On the threshold of his 36th birthday, Afridi is leading Pakistan in the five-nation Asia Cup T20 in Bangladesh and had announced earlier that he would retire from the shortest format at the end the World T20 in India. The mega event begins on March 8 and concludes on April 3.

Afridi had retired from one-day cricket last year, following his departure from the Test arena in 2010.

"For a while now there is a lot of pressure from my family, a lot of pressure from my friends, including my elders, who say there is no need for me to retire from Twenty20. That is a huge pressure.

"For now, in truth, I am focusing only on the World Cup. That is a huge challenge for me," Afridi was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo'. Pakistan play India in their first match on Saturday in the Asia Cup.

Afridi is the highest wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game with 91 in 90 matches. He said his final decision on retirement from all international cricket will also depend on performance in the Asia Cup and World T20.

Pakistan lost 0-3 to England in the United Arab Emirates in November last year and 1-2 in New Zealand last month -- a performance which left them in sixth position in the Twenty20 rankings.