Afridi turns to first-class cricket in a bid to regain form: Report

Afridi will play for Habib Bank Limite­d in the ongoin­g Presid­ent’s Trophy.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi, desperate to regain his form ahead of the series with India next month, has decided to return to domestic first-class cricket after nearly four-years out, reported ESPNcricinfo on Monday.

According to the report, Afridi will represent Habib Bank Limited in the ongoing President’s Trophy, after having last played for them in January 2009.

“We understand that he [Afridi] has been struggling with his form and obviously he has to play quality cricket to regain it,” a spokesperson from HBL sports department told ESPNcricinfo.

“Unfortunately there is no limited-overs cricket being played at the moment and the on-going first-class tournament is the way out for him to get engaged to change his dipping form,” he added.

The report added that Afridi will join the HBL squad in place of left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman who is currently serving a 12-week ban for using recreational drug cannabis during his stint with Somerset in the English domestic season.

Pakistan are due to play a one day international match and two twenty20 matches in India in a 16 day tour.