No conflict between Kamran and Shoaib: Afridi

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi swatted away suggestions on Friday that pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar had come to blows with Kamran Akmal after the wicketkeeper dropped catches off him in their World Cup match against New Zealand.

Media reports in Pakistan said Shoaib had angrily kicked his team mate after Akmal dropped Ross Taylor twice in the space of three deliveries in a Group A match 10 days ago.

Taylor went on to score a whirlwind 131 not out as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by 110 runs.

"Nothing happened between Shoaib Akhtar and Kamran Akmal. Nothing serious," Afridi told reporters in Colombo before trying to switch the topic of conversation to their final round-robin match against champions Australia on Saturday.

Not satisfied with the skipper's answer, another journalist tried to quiz Afridi further.

"I don't want to give you any breaking news," Afridi added as his final word on the subject.

The 35-year-old Shoaib, who said on Thursday that he would retire from international cricket following the World Cup, was overlooked for Pakistan's last match against Zimbabwe and Afridi refused to confirm whether he would return for Saturday's clash with Australia.

"If we need him we will definitely give him a chance," he said.

“I think he is enjoying himself whether he is playing or not," he added.