Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has vowed to fight with the available players in the UAE series and dismissed reports of any rift over team selection.
The allrounder, who met coach Waqar Younis and newly-appointed manager Intikhab Alam to chalk out strategies for the series against South Africa, was reportedly unhappy with selection.
“It’s up to the selection committee to pick the players,” said Afridi. “My job is to fight with these players on the field. I can give my suggestions but it’s up to them if they want to accept or refuse them.
“I have, however, been saying that the committee should make a pool of 20 to 22 players for the World Cup so that I can give them a proper run during the series against South Africa and New Zealand. I don’t know why things are not taken as they should be but I’m afraid if I retaliate, things can go against me and my well-wishers have advised me to concentrate on playing cricket and doing well.”
The all-rounder was earlier reported to be unhappy over comments made by the coach after the tour of England. However, Afridi ruled out any rifts and said that the team was looking forward to the preparations for the upcoming series that start with a rescheduled training camp from October 17 to 21 in Lahore after the conclusion of the Twenty20 Cup.
