Afridi, Younus, inspiration behind my T20 World Cup success: Shahzaib
November 25th, 2009 - 2:14 pm ICT by ANIIslamabad, Nov.25 (ANI): Young Pakistan middle order batsman Shahzaib Hasan Khan, who was part of the World T20 winning team, credits his satisfactory show in the tournament to Shahid Afridi and Younus Khan.
In an interview with PakPassion.net, Khan said both Afridi and Younus inspired him to do well during the T20 World Cup.
“When I was selected for the tournament, Younus came up to me and said that play your natural game, don’t worry about anything, just be yourself and do your best. Shahid Afridi had a one to one chat with me and really gave me a lot of confidence by saying that I was an important member of the team and I could be our matchwinner. For two such senior cricketers to give me such self belief was inspiring,” said the hard hitting 19-year old batsman.
Khan, who played four matches during the coveted tournament, said it was a lifetime opportunity for him to play with his heroes and share the dressing room with them.
“The atmosphere at each match was just electric, and as a 19 year old to experience something like that was just special. Playing the final at Lords in front of a packed house is something that will always live with me,” he added.
Khan, who trained at former wicket keeper captain Rashid Latif’s cricket camp, said he owed his success to Latif, for helping him polish his talent.
“I really owe a lot to him for the advice and support he has given me after he spotted me playing tape ball cricket with my friends and asking me to join his academy,” he said.
Disappointed at being dropped from the squad immediately after the World Cup, Khan vowed to make a come back and said he is working hard to achieve his target.
“I definitely want to make a comeback to the team. I am performing well in the Quaid-E-Azam Trophy and hope I can maintain my good form and catch the eye of the selectors once again,” he added. (ANI)
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Tags: cricket camp, cricketers, dressing room, hasan khan, heroes, inspiration, islamabad, lifetime opportunity, match, quaid e azam, rashid latif, selectors, self belief, shahid afridi, t20 world cup, target, trophy, wicket keeper, winning team, world cup success