The Asia Cup will be played from March 11 in Bangladesh and will feature world champion India and Sri Lanka, besides the hosts.
“We need definite improvement,” Afridi told reporters in Karachi after his return from the Bangladesh Premier League. “We need to overcome the mistakes we made in all departments. The Asia Cup won’t be an easy task and we’ll have to be at our best to make an impression.
“We needed to play positive cricket in every single match. I’m optimistic that the team will bounce back in the tournament.”
‘We under-performed in all departments’
Commenting on the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 defeats at the hands of England, Afridi said that batting failure cost Pakistan dearly.
“Just like Misbah said, it was mainly the batting failure that cost us both series. In fact, I feel we were not at our best in all departments. We made mistakes throughout and now we need to play in an attacking style.”
The all-rounder admitted his poor form, especially with the ball.
“I was not up to the mark but I will try to do my best in the Asia Cup.”
There were reports of a recurrence of infighting in the team, following the Test triumph, which affected Pakistan’s performance in the latter part of the tour. That dismal show also reignited debate of a change in captaincy with fans demanding the re-appointment of Afridi as ODI and Twenty20 captain.
Afridi was removed as captain by former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt after a rift with then-coach Waqar Younis and many former cricketers believe he still is the right person for the job. Afridi, however, refused to comment on the matter.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2012.
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@maestro: I agree - every cricketer has his good days and every cricketer has his bad days. Every cricket match is not going to be as beautiful and easy as walking in a rose garden on a sunny afternoon. Shahid Afridi does put all his strength and energy into each and every swing as a batsman. We all know how much strength & force he puts into the ball as a bowler, and we all have witnessed some of Shahid Afridi's greatest catches out on the field. One thing for sure, he puts his full efforts into the game and takes each game seriously, but he can't be held responsible entirely for the team's loss.
All people criticizing Afridi's batting - please stop. The only man to hit a 12 (ball hit the roof of the stadium on its way out). He is a national hero and one of the top ranked bowlers now in the world and one of the best fielders. So, if anyone who has even batted should know that you can have a slump period and a rise period. In almost every single game since he came back into the team, he has at hit his boom boom chaka aur chauka. He has said clearly that he is not a tuk tuk man - he itches to throw the ball out of the ground or get out. Respect the man whom the entire nation loves please. Shahid Afridi Zindabad, Pakistan Zindabad.
stop talking, do something
I watched him bat during Eng ODI's, simply a joker with bat, swinging his bat left and right while the ball was miles away from the bat.
Maybe if Afridi performs for his own country like he does for Bangladeshi domestic T20 teams we would win more games!
@Afridi's Angel: I just wanted to add a Very Happy Birthday To Shahid Afridi - Love You Boom Boom! Insha Allah You Will Be Defeat Your Rivals :)
After just loosing one series the nation has decided to change the captaincy, it doesn't make any sense finally that team has started showing some good cricket under the captaincy of Misbah. He should remain as a captain until he he won't perform in upcoming series.
India vs Pakistan on 18th March. We will see how much you guys will improve. When we lost the T20 final from India we won the Asia Cup from India. This time we have lost( for some sold) the world cup semi final from India and we will win the Asia Cup.
And how quickly it would be? Another 300 matches..
Boom Boom - Just play with your goal of putting in your best efforts on the cricket field & You will perform great! Loving You Always :)