Shahid Afridi looking forward to grooming new players during West Indies tour
April 4th, 2011 - 5:04 pm ICT by ANIIslamabad, Apr 4 (ANI): Pakistan’s cricket captain Shahid Afridi has said that he would take part in the upcoming tour to West Indies, which he had earlier thought of opting out, to groom few new players.
“Earlier, I had decided to skip the tour because I wanted to take a well deserved rest from the game, but some former players and my family and friends told me to change my decision at this crucial time for Pakistan cricket,” The News quoted Afridi, as saying.
The 31-year-old captain, who has played 320 one-day internationals, had led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the recent World Cup where they lost to India.
Afridi had earlier said that he wanted a break from cricket, but added that the upcoming tour was an ideal opportunity to groom two or three new players.
“That is why I want to be part of the team on the coming tour and carry on the momentum we got from the World Cup,” he said.
Praising his nation for giving warm welcome to players on return despite being defeated by Indian in the World Cup semi finals, Afridi said: “It is an indication that Pakistan cricket is on the right track and on the coming tours to West Indies and Zimbabwe we can form an ideal one-day combination.”
The Pakistan team will play a Twenty20 match against West Indies on April 21, then five ODIs and two tests. (ANI)
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Tags: cricket captain, day internationals, deserved rest, family and friends, game, India, match, momentum, odis, old captain, pakistan cricket, pakistan team, semi finals, shahid afridi, warm welcome, west indies, world cup, zimbabwe