Pakistan ace all-rounder Shahid Afridi said he is still hopeful to represent the team in the 2015 World Cup given his fitness and performance remain up to the mark.
[caption id="attachment_458" align="alignright" width="226"]
Shahid Afridi said he was still hopeful to represent the team in the 2015 World Cup (Photo: AFP)[/caption]
Afridi, 33, was denied a place in the squad for an ODI series against India in December for his continuously waning performance. However, he was once again given a chance in Pakistan’s recently concluded tour of South Africa.
His 88 in the third one-dayer of the five-match ODI series against South Africa was his first half-century in almost a year. He also could not take a single wicket in his last six matches.
The all-rounder said although he was eyeing the upcoming World Cup, he would quit if he became a burden on the team.
“My fitness level is good and I want to continue playing at the top level. The 2015 World Cup is in my mind but it depends on fitness and performance,” Afridi told reporters.
He said if he felt his performance was not improving, he would leave the one-day cricket just as he left the Test cricket in 2010.
“I don’t want selectors to choose me without good performance and I don’t want to play by force.”
Commenting on the reports of alleged rift between the team’s Test and ODI captain Misbahul Haq and Twenty20 captain Mohammed Hafeez, Afridi said there was no differences among the team players and both skippers were getting along very well.
He also lamented the remarks of former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt who recently accused Hafeez and team’s head Dav Whatmore of forming a nexus to sideline Misbah.
Afridi said cricket suffered badly during Butt’s tenure and now instead of making comments on cricket, he should now rest and enjoy the sport.
The all-round player has represented Pakistan in 354 one-day matches, taking 348 wickets and scoring 7,201 runs, which also included the world’s fastest century. As a captain, he led Pakistan to the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.
Though Afridi’s name is included in the initial 30-man squad announced for the ICC Champions Trophy starting in June, he has to perform in the ongoing President’s Trophy to be included in the final 15.
The eight-nation Champions Trophy is going to be held in England from June 6-23. Pakistan are in group B along with South Africa and West Indies and arch-rivals India.
Defending champions Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are in group A.
[caption id="attachment_458" align="alignright" width="226"]
Shahid Afridi said he was still hopeful to represent the team in the 2015 World Cup (Photo: AFP)[/caption]Afridi, 33, was denied a place in the squad for an ODI series against India in December for his continuously waning performance. However, he was once again given a chance in Pakistan’s recently concluded tour of South Africa.
His 88 in the third one-dayer of the five-match ODI series against South Africa was his first half-century in almost a year. He also could not take a single wicket in his last six matches.
The all-rounder said although he was eyeing the upcoming World Cup, he would quit if he became a burden on the team.
“My fitness level is good and I want to continue playing at the top level. The 2015 World Cup is in my mind but it depends on fitness and performance,” Afridi told reporters.
He said if he felt his performance was not improving, he would leave the one-day cricket just as he left the Test cricket in 2010.
“I don’t want selectors to choose me without good performance and I don’t want to play by force.”
Commenting on the reports of alleged rift between the team’s Test and ODI captain Misbahul Haq and Twenty20 captain Mohammed Hafeez, Afridi said there was no differences among the team players and both skippers were getting along very well.
He also lamented the remarks of former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt who recently accused Hafeez and team’s head Dav Whatmore of forming a nexus to sideline Misbah.
Afridi said cricket suffered badly during Butt’s tenure and now instead of making comments on cricket, he should now rest and enjoy the sport.
The all-round player has represented Pakistan in 354 one-day matches, taking 348 wickets and scoring 7,201 runs, which also included the world’s fastest century. As a captain, he led Pakistan to the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.
Though Afridi’s name is included in the initial 30-man squad announced for the ICC Champions Trophy starting in June, he has to perform in the ongoing President’s Trophy to be included in the final 15.
The eight-nation Champions Trophy is going to be held in England from June 6-23. Pakistan are in group B along with South Africa and West Indies and arch-rivals India.
Defending champions Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are in group A.
Post A Comment:
0 comments so far,add yours