Afridi eyes World Cup glory

LONDON: Former Pakistan Test captain Shahid Afridi has vowed to return to England, saying the limited-over series starting next month will be the launch pad for his ambitions to win the 2011 World Cup.

The 30-year-old announced he would retire from Test cricket after the second and final Test against Australia at Leeds starting Wednesday, citing a lack of temperament for the five-day game.

However, Afridi, who was part of the 2009 World Twenty20 winning side led by former captain Younus Khan, said he is determined to return for the subsequent limited over series against England.

“I took a decision which I felt was right and now all my concentration is on the limited overs series against England which will be our first step towards winning next year’s World Cup,” said Afridi.

“I have won the World Twenty20, beaten England and India in Tests at home and have achieved some other milestones as well, but before I leave the game I want to win the World Cup,” added Afridi ahead of next year’s tournament in Asia, where Pakistan will try to add to their lone World Cup title won in 1992.

Afridi rubbished speculation his Test retirement came after differences with Pakistan teammates.

“This team was unified and there were no problems, nothing. I also feel that there are other players who are not fit for the longer version of the game and my advice to them is to concentrate on the shorter forms,” said Afridi, without naming the players.

Meanwhile, now free of Test commitments, Afridi may join Hampshire if they qualify for the quarter-finals stage of the Friends Provident T20 tournament in England. “I had to abandon the contract with Hampshire because I was here for the Test series.

“But now they want me to play the last three matches of the Twenty20, provided they qualify,” added Afridi, who will rejoin the team after the Tests against England are over in September.

“I will be fresh for the limited-over series which will be very tough because England have been doing very well in both ODIs and Twenty20s.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2010.