DUBAI: Recalled Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi oozed confidence as he prepared to hit his turbulent past six months for a big six, saying he wants to perform for the country and his fans as he left for the one-day series agains Sri Lanka in Dubai.
The 31-year-old all-rounder was recalled in Pakistan squad for the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka, starting on Friday. Both teams will also play a Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the three-Test series 1-0 on Monday.
(Read: Afridi returns to national squad)
The popular hard-hitting batsman, who holds the world record of scoring the fastest one-day century - off 37 balls made against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1997 - said he is set to put aside all his past problems.
"I think its all about cricket, its time to play and I don't want to involve myself in any other thing other than cricket," said Afridi, who in May this year had a fall out with then coach Waqar Younis over selection issues.
Afridi's outburst after the one-day series against the West Indies prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to sack him as team captain, a punishment which led to Afridi's self-imposed retirment from international cricket.
When he retired, the PCB suspended his contract and revoked his No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play abroad, an action which Afridi challenged in the court.
But the matter was finally settled after Afridi appeared before a PCB disciplinary committee which fined him $53,000 and revoked his NOC to play for English county Hampshire.
(Read: PCB allows Afridi to play for Hampshire)
After Waqar quit and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt was replaced with Zaka Ashraf, Afridi announced his comeback to international cricket last month.
(Read: Afridi withdraws international retirement)
Afridi said he felt great and will try to come up to expectations.
"It feels great because I have come back after a long time, a lot of people want me to perform and everyone has supported me, so this is the time to play cricket," said Afridi.
"I definitely missed Pakistan team, it's my first priority and after I missed two tours I am back and will hopefully do well," said Afridi.
Afridi has so far played 325 one-day and 43 Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan. He retired from Test cricket last year after playing 27 Tests.
COMMENTS (12)
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dont go for afridi avg... i agree his avg is low in bowling but I think he has taken every wicket as a match turning wicket..he is match winner player more important than a captain...
@ antanu g : I am not denying his services for the national team but i believe 300 wickets are taken with an avg of almost 35 .. an its no where near a good avg for a specialist bowler .. and if this avg is that much good for some ppl then these ppl should also consider to stand for almost 50 % of the bowlers in our domestic cricket .. In my view he is a Utility Cricketer but not a captain .
@F Khan: he is basically abowler and being one he had been performing nicely. what else do you expect from him? you sound like a joker...since a joker cant bag more than 300 ODI wickets.
Can anyone tell this joker that you bat with you bat not your tongue and also that the boundary is horizontal not vertical.
@AK, Mirza, Bilal, Lollers and such others ; Start using common sense for a change. I'd enlighten you as to how much wrong you folks are, but its probably futile so I won't even bother.
Go Boom Boom, hopefully this time he will not retire till he is 36. I think he is at the peak of his career.
Who is the face of Pepsi. Who is the face of PCB's kit sponsor. Dont you get it. The team only has one marketable star. Hes even done an ad for Servis the company Ijaz Butt works for. Its all about the money and hes the one bringing it in.
Actions speak louder than words. Afridi should have this tattooed on himself and live by this. He needs to stop talking and just play cricket. He thinks he is the next Imran Khan and most likely thinks he has a shot in politics after cricket but he hasn't even achieved half of what IK did on the cricket field.
Afridi once again went public and media that he would concentrate on cricket! What a joke? Afridi makes more media appearances and political statements than all the others combined. He should be stopped by Cricket Board from playing media and politics and let his bat do the talking. The educated players like Misbah and Younus Kahan are not making speeches but playing cricket. If Afridi wants publicity he should join political party. The best thing Cricket Board did is de-clawed Afridi and make him play as a "player" not a polictical leader. It may be good for Afridi's career to become a player once again. It is his last chance and he should grab it by both hands and not by his tongue!
Retirement has become a joke.