Afridi optimistic despite recent bad patch

Pakistan T20I captain says players need to unite and and believe in themselves if they want to win the World T20

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan T20I captain Shahid Afridi believes his short-format team’s performance has not been up to the mark in recent times but the players have the ability to outsmart any team on a given day.

"Our performance has not been up to the mark quite recently but no one can downplay us as we have the potential to rise," Afridi told APP, adding that the players needs to unite and believe in themselves if they want to win the World T20.



The 35-year-old said the team was not facing a dearth of talent. "We have some very talented boys in our team. But they need to perform to display their talent.”

Right-hand batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been a constant failure for Pakistan recently and Afridi said he was given what he asked for but he didn’t deliver.

"Maqsood believed that he could perform well up the batting order. He was given the chance but he has not delivered,” he said, adding that Ahmed Shehzad also needed to up his game.



On a question regarding the T20 series loss against New Zealand Afridi said, “We tried out various options in that series. It is true we were not successful, but I believe we have learned a lot from it. I think we still have the time to devise a plan for the World T20."

The Pakistan Super League is going to commence from February 4 and Afridi was optimistic it will prove to be beneficial for both the seniors and youngsters.



"It will be a great event for Pakistan cricket. It will help our senior players to regain their lost form, whereas the youngsters will get an opportunity to interact with international cricketers and learn from them," he concluded.