Shahid Afridi feels English conditions will be a great challenge for youngsters who will be accompanied by veterans Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan in July. Describing England, he said they are one of the best teams in the world. “No doubt English team is one of the best. They are playing well in their own conditions. The way James Anderson and Stuart Broad are bowling. It will be a big test for youngsters who are coming with the Pakistan team. There are big challenges ahead of them. We have Misbah, he is leading the team very well with Younus Khan on his side.” said former Pakistan T20 skipper Afridi.
Afridi told that he didn’t mind being dropped from the England tour. “I’ve told the selectors it’s fine to keep me away and to see where the youngsters are standing,” said Afridi.
The 36-year-old is currently in England where he will represent Hampshire in the county starting from their first match against Middlesex on Friday. “I’m happy to concentrate on my county summer at the moment and then we’ll see what happens later,” he said. “If Pakistan want me later in the summer, then I’m available,” added Afridi. He will be accompanied by Peshawar Zalmi teammate West Indies World T20 winning captain Darren Sammy during the T20 Blast.
The flamboyant all-rounder resigned from captaincy after Pakistan’s dismal performance in 2016 World T20 where the team won only one match against Bangladesh. They were beaten comprehensively by India, Australia and New Zealand in the group stage.
Pakistan will start their tour of England on July 14 with four Tests, five ODIs and one-off T20 to be played over the course of two months.