Pakistan team to return today

KARACHI: Most members of the Pakistan team will return home on Wednesday.

The team lost the ICC Twenty20 World Cup against Australia in St. Lucia.

Shahid Afridi along with some members of the team, including Fawad Alam and Khalid Latif, will land at Karachi Airport while the others will arrive in Lahore. Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and pacer Muhammad Asif will stay in London for a few days and return home later.

Offspinner Saeed Ajmal, who conceded 23 runs to seal Pakistan's fate against Australia in the semi final, will arrive in Lahore from Dubai. Test fast bowler Muhammad Sami has already arrived in Karachi.

The team went into the tournament after a widely publicised PCB hearing involving bans and fines, after a failed tour to Australia. As for the fans, they're waiting for the Pakistani team to pick itself up and return to it's former glory.

"Keeping in mind the pressure because of what we went through before the T20 Cup, I think the players worked hard and performed well. Had we lost against Australia in the final, I would have suffered from less grief. I tried to make a combination but in vain as I and the coach were facing some problems and we failed to settle down. But the the selection committee performed a good job," said team captain Shahid Afridi.

An inspired batting performance by runner-ups Australia, however, put a stop to the dreams of the Pakistani fans. Saeed Ajmal on the other hand, claimed it was just Australia's day.