Akhtar's retirement will not hurt Pakistan: Afridi

Afridi says that Akhtar’s decision to retire from cricket was the right decision.

COLOMBO: Shahid Afridi on Friday said that it did not make any difference if Shoaib Akhtar was in the team or not and that if he retired in the middle of the ICC World Cup it would not have hurt Pakistan.

Speaking to the media after a practice session, the Pakistan captain said that Akhtar’s decision to retire from international cricket was the right decision as he himself was aware if he could play or not.

On Akhtar playing the remaining matches of the cup, Afridi said that he would be played if he was needed in the remaining eleven.

“If Akhtar has called it a day in favor of team then I would welcome it and he knows his position the best. He is enjoying whether he is playing or not,” said Afridi.

He also said that Kamran Akmal will open the innings for in the Group A match against Australia no Saturday. Akmal will be replacing Ahmad Shehzad.

Afridi explained that only the opening pair would be changed as the team management was not in favor of disturbing the 'winning combination'.

“Umar Akmal is fit enough to play now and there is every chance that he might be part of playing eleven against Australia,” added Afridi.

Afridi said the team would pose a serious challenge to the Australians.

“Conditions in the sub-continent heavily suit us and our style of cricket. This match is very important for us and we know how strong their batting and bowling techniques are, but we have potential to beat them”, he stated.

Pakistan face Australia for Group A supremacy on Saturday in their last group match before they play Group B qualifying teams in the quarter-finals.