Shahid Afridi To Play T20 Cricket For Hampshire

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has signed to play for Hampshire as their second overseas player for the 2011 Friends Provident t20 competition.

He will join compatriot and fellow leg-spinner Imran Tahir in bolstering Hampshire's attack as they bid to retain their title which they won at The Rose Bowl last year.

Afridi is expected to arrive at the end of May and be available for the entirety of the competition. Afridi, who is currently captaining his country in the World Cup, was due to join Hampshire last year before he made a decision to return to Test cricket.

His subsequent retirement from Test cricket means he will be available for Hampshire once again and he is looking forward to joining up with the Royals.

"I was disappointed not to join Hampshire last season. It would have been fantastic to have been a part of the team that made history by winning the t20 trophy on home soil.

"Having played at The Rose Bowl for Pakistan last year I know that it is fast becoming one of the best places in the country to watch cricket of all levels. I hope very much to play a big part in the club’s success in 2011."

In signing Afridi, Hampshire have picked up a proven performer. He led by example as Pakistan won the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 with crucial innings in the semi-final against against South Africa and the final against Sri Lanka while he has also played more than 300 One-Day Internationals for his country and represented the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

http://www.cricketworld.com/shahid-afridi-to-play-t20-cricket-for-hampshire/26947.htm

Team not bothered by Shiv Sena threats: Waqar Younis

Pakistan cricket team is not worried by the threats issued by right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena, coach Waqar Younis said.

“The players are fit and ready to perform with great spirit…and that is where our attention lies,” Younis told a private television channel ahead of Pakistan’s opening World Cup match on Wednesday.
The party announced last week that if Pakistan reaches the World Cup final, which is to be played in Mumbai, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackery will ‘decide’ whether they can be allowed to play the match.
“You all know Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s views. If the Pakistan team reach the final [scheduled in Mumbai], whether to allow them to play, the Sena
chief will decide,” Indian official news agency, Press Trust of India quoted Manohar Joshi as saying.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan coach said success at the World Cup will play a vital in reviving cricket in the country.

‘Pakistan team has fire and aggression to reach semis’

The cricket lovers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have expressed indemnity of Pakistan’s chances to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup saying our team has the fire and aggression necessary to go all the way.Imran Khan, a student in National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, told APP on Monday that Pakistan’s chances of reaching till the semis in the World Cup is guaranteed only if they play like a unit without any grouping in the team.

“I don’t know why. It’s just a gut feeling. Our team faced so much criticism for the trio - Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamer - and then the delay in naming the captain. I just think that this time our team will do something big in the mega  event.”
Ayaz Akhbar, a student of Foundation University, Islamabad said,”Pakistan team is an unpredictable one. It just needs unity among them and then no one can stop Pakistan from winning the World Cup.”
Rameez Hussain, a student of Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad said, “I believe our team can go all the way to win the mega event. Our chances are as good as that of India, Australia.
“Even if Pakistan loses to Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, Pakistan can reach quarterfinals beating the minnows. From there onwards, it’s just three games and Pakistan team has the potential to win the three games in a row.”
Jamil Ismail, a student of Rawalpindi College of Commerce told APP that, “The team is going to be more controversial since the ICC verdict against the trio verdict has hurt its moral and the international media will have their eyes on them with each step they will take.”
Junaid Akram, a student of Pakistan Institute of Modern Studies (PIMS), Rawalpindi said, “As Pakistanis we surely want our country to win and we will pray for that but apart from 
Pakistan, Australia is also a good team too”. 
“They have won five out of six games against England.However one cannot rule out Sri Lanka and South Africa. From quarterfinals, it can be anybody’s World Cup,” he added.
Waqas Hamad, a student of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi told APP that our team has all the guts to reach the semi-finals if they just play like a team, united we stand divided in groups (in the team) we fall.
A motor mechanic, Mia Ghani felt that our team will be out from the mega event before the semis. “Our team is mostly new and I don’t think they have good chances in the World Cup.” 
The people have given their best wishes for the Pakistan team and has also expressed delight over the ‘boom boom’ Shahid Afridi retaining the captaincy for the World Cup squad saying that he has got all the potential to lead the team for the mega 
event.