Former Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi says Pakistan is a team which is capable of beating any side on its day at the ICC World Cup 2019. He maintained Sarfaraz Ahmed led side has been doing well ahead of the ODI showpiece.
With the ICC World Cup knocking at the door, every now and then, a cricketing personality tweets or during their interviews mention their favourite teams, has made things further festive for the die-hard fans. The 50-over World Cup will kick-off on May 30 in England and Wales.
Afridi, who was in Abu Dhabi on Friday, is happy with the form of openers; Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. He believes they will play a critical role in taking Pakistan all the way to their second World Cup title.
The former Australian fast bowler, Brett Lee was alongside him as an ambassador of the inaugural Happiness Sim Cricket Sixes’ tournament.
Afridi believes the defeat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was an opportunity for youngsters after giving rest to their key players.
Pakistan is going to kick-off their World Cup campaign at Nottingham on 31st May against the Windies. And the former all-rounder and skipper expect Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam to play a significant role in the UK.
However, Pakistan’s shaky performance in the previous five-match ODI series played against Australia says otherwise. They lost the ODI to Aussies by 5-0. While in the one against South Africa, they lost it by 2-1.
To this, Afridi said the series defeat in the Emirates was an opportunity to rest some of the team’s mainstays. Whereas, they tested some of the young players that would have little bearing on their World Cup preparations.
“We will be playing some warm-up matches in England. And that would be enough to adapt to the English conditions and for the competition,” he said.
“Personally I felt making so many changes wasn’t a good idea but that decision was made by selection committee. Anyway, that’s behind us and what’s important is to look ahead,” he added.
Shahid Afridi had played in 398 ODI’s for Pakistan, scoring 8,064 runs and taking 395 wickets during a glittering career. And, he was part of the Wasim Akram-led Pakistan in the World Cup 1999, when they lost in the finals.