This was revealed by Pakistan captain Shahid Khan Afridi while talking to a press conference in Colombo after team’s practice session on Friday.
Talking about the team combination, the Boom Boom Afridi said that only the opening combination would be changed in the match against Australia as the team management is not in favour of disturbing the winning combination.
Pakistan’s only sports channel’s team of journalists kept claiming that Ahmad Shehzad will open against Australia but TSE had already reported that Umar Akmal would replace the out-of-form opening batsman.
Afridi said, “Umar Akmal is fit enough to play now and there is every chance that he might be part of the playing eleven against Australia”.
When asked about fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s decision to retire from international cricket, skipper Afridi said that the Rawalpindi Express took the right decision as he knows himself very well and is aware exactly if he can play easily or not.
He further elaborated that whether Shoaib is in the team or not it doesn’t make any difference and even he was retired in the mid of the mega event it wouldn’t have hurt Pakistan.
Talking about any chances of seeing Shoaib in action in the remaining matches of the World Cup, Shahid Afridi said that if he was needed in the playing eleven then we will see.
“If Akhtar has called it a day in favour of team then I would welcome it and he knows his position the best”, he said adding, Akhtar is enjoying whether he is playing or not”.
Talking about Abdul Razzaq’s role in the team, Shahid Afridi said that Razzak is doing great no matter he plays as a tail ender or in the top order.
When asked about how he rated Aussies, Afridi said, Australians are quite professional and they know how to play and beat their opposition but Pakistan team is strong enough to pose them serious challenge.
“Conditions in the sub-continent heavily suit us and our style of cricket and we can beat them as all guys are very well prepared and looking forward to this match”, Afridi said.
“This match is very important for us and we know how strong their batting and bowling techniques are, but we have potential to beat them”, he stated.
“I can see my team playing in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011”, he concluded.
