Afridi rejects criticism, wants support ahead of World Cup

Shahid Afridi asks for support ahead of World Cup, said criticism before global event will discourage the young team.

KARACHI: Pakistan Twenty20 and One-Day International (ODI) captain Shahid Afridi has asked for support ahead of the World Cup and said that criticism before the global event will discourage the young team. Following the recent Twenty20 series loss to New Zealand – the third consecutive series defeat after England and South Africa won 2-0 – former players lashed out at Afridi and questioned his leadership skills.

“I don’t want to react to the criticism,” Afridi told The Express Tribune. “All I expect is support for my team which is going through a tough phase with the World Cup not very far away.

“The former cricketers are well aware of the current crisis in the team and should avoid comments that would leave a negative impact before the tournament.”

Afridi said that times had changed and with the team facing various issues, the attack was uncalled for.

“It is not the same time as it was when Imran Khan and Javed Miandad were playing. The situation now is totally different.

“Some [ex-cricketers] just wait for a bad performance to launch an attack on the team or on certain players. It happens. The same people praise you when the team does well.”

Afridi optimistic on best squad for World Cup

The captain, however, was confident of forming the best line-up for the World Cup in which Pakistan may miss the experienced trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. The three players will appear in the International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing on the spot-fixing case later this week.

“There is no doubt we are missing the three players but we still have good players who will form the team for the World Cup.”

Afridi, who was also criticised for team selection in the Twenty20s against New Zealand, said he tried different combinations keeping the World Cup in mind.

“Many of our World Cup probables were tested in the T20s because we want to give them maximum appearances.

“The clear picture for our World Cup line-up will come after the ODI series against New Zealand which is very important for us.”

Pakistan, following the two Test matches against New Zealand, will play a six-match ODI series that would be the team’s last assignment before the World Cup starts on February 19.

Afridi to give input

Shahid Afridi will meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt in Lahore today where his input on the World Cup squad will be taken into account.

According to a PCB official, Butt will discuss team selection with the captain before giving a go-ahead for the 30-man squad finalised by the selection committee.

“The PCB chairman wants input from Afridi on team selection while performance in the T20 series will also be discussed in the meeting,” said the official.

The World Cup preliminary squad is expected to be announced tomorrow, a day before the deadline which the ICC extended following a request by the PCB.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2011.