PCB should hire a batting coach: Afridi

Afridi thanks the nation for the support as fans in Karachi and Lahore throng to airports to receive their team.

LAHORE/ KARACHI: Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi on Friday said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should hire a coach to improve the batting performance of the team.

Talking to the media outside his residence in Karachi, he thanked the nation for supporting the team, saying that they would continue to perform well.

Blaming the batting for the defeat against India at Mohali, Afridi said the young players should be given chances in the future rather than senior players.

Regarding his plans for the West Indies tour, the skipper said he had been very busy due to the World Cup, so he needed some rest but would make a final decision in this regard in a few days.

About the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, Afridi said they had given a positive message to the world so people should remain hopeful.

A heroes’ welcome

The team arrived at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi early morning where a large number of fans were present to give them a heroes’ welcome.

Carrying banners, placards and national flags, people were excited to get a glimpse of the players who made them proud by giving some spectacular performances in the world cup.

However, the players were not allowed to come at the airport lounge due to security concerns and they were taken out of the airport from another terminal.

Meanwhile in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif received the Pakistani cricket team himself and praised their performance.

Addressing the media, he called the team’s march to the semi-final extraordinary, despite having all odds against them.

Team manager Intikhab Alam and PCB chairman Ejaz Butt thanked the chief minister for the gesture.