Afridi confident of facing Australia on Monday

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi remains confident that he will be fit to face Australia in the opening Twenty20 international that takes place on Monday at Edgbaston.

Afridi will be sitting out of Pakistan’s third tour-match – against Northamptonshire on Saturday – to regain full fitness ahead of the back-to-back Twenty20s against the 2010 World Twenty losing finalists.

The captain added that he played through pain in the Asia Cup that took place in Sri Lanka because he felt the team needed him but will get enough rest ahead of the international commitments.

“I’ve been in London for the last two days undergoing treatment but will join the rest of the squad at Chelmsford soon,” Afridi told The Express Tribune.

“I had scans done after the injury and they showed some problem with the side muscles. There is some swelling left but hopefully I’ll be back at top fitness in a couple of days, definitely before the T20s against Australia.

“However, as precaution, I’ll be sitting out the tour match against a Northants, ensuring I’m totally fit for the matches against Australia.”

Pakistan will also play Australia in two Tests following the Twenty20s and Afridi knows the team has a good opportunity to avenge their whitewash against the same side late last year.

“This is a good time to set the tables straight. Even though Australia beat England in the fourth One-Day International against England, the wound from their earlier three defeats will still be fresh and it would matter. We need to ensure we make use of that fully.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2010.