We will try our best to win: Afridi

All-rounder hopes for full fitness before World T20 clash against India.

KARACHI:

Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi Saturday started training after recovering from a groin injury, hoping to play his part in the World Twenty20 (T20) starting in Bangladesh.

The fifth edition of the World T20 with 16 teams in contention will be held from March 16 to April 6. The 34-year-old, who suffered fitness problems in the Asia Cup last week, said he was feeling much better.

“I trained for the first time since the injury and (I am) feeling very good. I am almost 90% fit and hope to play at my full fitness once I join the squad,” Afridi told reporters.

Afridi hit two last-over sixes to help Pakistan beat archrivals India in a thrilling one-wicket finish in the Asia Cup earlier this month. He then starred in Pakistan’s tough 327-run chase with a 25-ball 59 against Bangladesh.

Bahria Town, a private real estate developer, awarded him a plot of land in their new residential project on Saturday.

Afridi said he will do his best to help Pakistan win the title. “I will do my best to help Pakistan win the title again,” said Afridi, who will join the squad in Dhaka on Monday.

Afridi said T20 is a format where predictions are tough to make. “I think this format is such that you cannot predict who will win the title, but I assure you that Pakistan team will do its best to win the title once more,” said Afridi.  

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2014.

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