All-rounder Khushdil Shah is denying reports that he is considering going abroad to play for other countries after his extended absence from the Pakistan team.
He has played for Pakistan in 15 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and in 38 T20 Internationals (T20Is) in his 31-year career as an international cricketer.
The young player last played at last year’s ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup.
Khushdil made just one appearance in the tournament, against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the group stage.
He scored four runs before being left out of Pakistan’s playing XI for the rest of the tournament and was later dropped from the squad.
Read more: Why Shaheen Afridi was dropped from Pakistan’s test squad?
Interest increased after fellow Pakistan all-rounder Abbas Afridi gave an interview that went viral on Friday, prompting speculations about Khushsil’s future.
Afridi said that he had heard Khushdil telling him he had approximately four months in which he could get back into the Pakistan team before he thought about leaving the Pakistan cricket team, during the interview.
The comments quickly got engagement on social media platforms and sparked speculations about whether Khushdil is planning to end his international career anytime soon.
But the reports have been entirely refuted by Khushdil now. The all-rounder then took to Instagram stories to call the claims “fake” and “completely untrue”, and reiterated his Pakistan pledge.
“I have never revealed to anyone that I am leaving Pakistan cricket,” said Khushdil.
He also said that his homeland was Pakistan and serving the country was his greatest honour and top priority.
Khushdil also appealed to the Pakistani fans not to accept the rumours and reaffirmed that “my loyalty to Pakistan cricket never wavers ever.”
Also read: Shaheen Afridi makes surprise LPL return