Afridi wants seniors to step up

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has urged his side’s experienced players to shoulder the burden of responsibility at the World Cup after a defeat in their final warm-up match.

The batsman and leg-spinner missed Friday’s 67-run defeat by England, but insisted bouncing back was nothing new for his side.

“This isn’t the first time we’re saying sorry for our performance,” Afridi told the Press Trust of India. “All of us now have to give our best. The seniors have a very important role to play. We must show the way to the youngsters.”

Watson aware of key role

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said he has “big shoes to fill” but vowed to do his best to get his team off to flying starts in their quest for a fourth successive title.

Watson excelled in the limited time he had at the crease at the 2007 edition, when Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist opened the batting.

“It’s a much bigger responsibility opening the innings and trying to lay a great platform for the team, like Hayden and Gilchrist did, especially in World Cups,” said Watson. “They are big shoes to fill because they have always performed well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2011.