I'll be available whenever national team need me: Shahid Afridi
I am looking after myself very well and working hard to maintain fitness level, says Afridi.
(Web Desk) - Former Pakistan T20I captain Shahid Afridi said that he is ready to serve the country at any time as he can play cricket for few more years, reported on Tuesday.
In an exclusive interview with cricket.com.au, Afridi said that he is focusing on cricket and want to continue it. He said he is looking after himself very well and working hard to maintain fitness level.
"I still feel that I can play for the next couple of years whether it is for Pakistan or PSL (Pakistan Super League), Big Bash or England (domestic) T20s."
"In fact before coming (to this interview) I spoke with the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and told him that it is good to have youngsters in the team but in case he needs me I will be available.
I’ll be available for the national team whenever it needs me," Afridi said in England.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is currently playing for Hampshire in England’s domestic T20 competition, said that if Inzamam-ul-Haq leads the team as batting coach then it would be very effective for the players.
Talking about the newly-elected Head Coach, Afridi said that Mickey Arthur will be good enough for Pakistani team due to his aggressive approach.
"I have played under Mickey Arthur’s coaching; it was back in 2003 when I was playing a domestic season in South Africa with Griqualand West. I find him a very good and aggressive coach and I think the Pakistan team needs an aggressive coach. "He has experience of working with big teams such as Australia and South Africa too so I can expect that he will bring good results for Pakistan."
Responding to question related to England series, the star player believed that defeating England on their home turf will be a herculean task for Pakistan, with even a drawn series a rewarding result.
"To beat England in their conditions is a huge achievement," he said.
"The amount of domestic cricket they play is massive and that is the reason their batsmen and bowlers are so familiar with the pitches in the country. These factors will favour England in the coming series. "Even if Pakistan manage to draw the series I think it will be a big achievement. Pakistan’s Test team however is very stable and has done well lately in the subcontinent but to win in England the players will have to put in hard yards."
Afridi while expressing an interest in playing in the KFC Big Bash League said that he has regularly been offered deals to play in the tournament but has thus far been unavailable.
"I was offered to play Big Bash League in Australia almost every season in the last two or three years but I wasn’t able to take the offer due to my international commitments," he added. "But if I am offered it this year I’ll surely give it a go."
On the other hand, Afridi has also hinted at a change of franchise for the second edition of the Pakistan Super League if affairs with Zalmi’s owner Javed Afridi will not get settled.
"No doubt that my current team is Zalmi but before moving forward I need to sort out some things with Javed Afridi (owner and chairman of Peshawar Zalmi).
Afridi stepped down as national captain following Pakistan’s dismal performance in the ICC World T20 in India this year but changed his decision to retire from T20 Internationals. Pakistan have not played any cricket since the WT20 and are scheduled to play their next T20 International in September in England.
