Afridi promises performance from his 'best 15-men'

T20 captain says return of international cricket in Pakistan is a good omen for the team and the fans

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, while talking to the media on Thursday at the unveiling of the Twenty20 trophy, said that the selectors have chosen the best 15 players to represent Pakistan against Zimbabwe.

Afridi added that the return of international cricket in Pakistan is a good omen for the team and the fans.

"The selection committee has selected the best 15-men to represent Pakistan," said Afridi.

"They have done their work and now its time for the players to show their efforts. And if everyone puts in their 100% effort, good results can be expected."

"We have also introduced the concept of performance based retaining. Whoever performs will stay in the team."

He also expressed his happiness of being able to play in Pakistan at the near-end of his career.

"I will be leaving international cricket after the 2016 World Twenty20. To see Pakistan cricket come back in Pakistan the near the end of my career is a big moment for me.

"It has always been an honor to captain the Pakistan team. I will make sure that I deliver.

"We have a lot of talented players and and I am confident that they will make a good team in the future as well."

On Shoaib and Sami's retrun

Afridi said that the return of Muhammad Sami and Shoaib Malik was a good sign for the team.

"The return of Sami and Shoaib is a good sign,"claimed Afridi.

"They have done a lot for Pakistan in the past and they are quite young to be called old players. They have been selected on the basis of their performance."

About the 2016 World Twenty20

Afridi said he will not interfere in the selection committees process but he has forwarded his suggestions.

"The selection committee has its own job to do. I am no one to interfere in their process but I have asked them to give me a finalised team three months before the tournament. The players should be confident that they will be playing in the World Twenty20 so that they can prepare likewise."

On the two-match series against Zimbabwe

Afridi said in the shortest format of the game anything was possible.

"I am not afraid to lose but in this format of the game anything is possible on the given day. I can't assure a victory but I can assure you our complete effort."

On Saeed Ajmal

Afridi said the ball was in the off-spinner's court to decide his fate.

"Saeed Ajmal is a big player and he will  take a decision about his career himself."