Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is still undecided about his Test future, and has said that he would make a final call in this regard after the exhaustive tour of England beginning later this month.
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is still undecided about his Test future, and has said that he would make a final call in this regard after the exhaustive tour of England beginning later this month.
With the 2011 World Cup in his sights, Afridi said he will review his personal performance in the six Tests that Pakistan would play against Australia and the hosts England before deciding whether he would continue playing the five day game or not.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I will take a decision (on my Test future) at the end of the England tour," The News quoted Afridi, as saying.
The flamboyant all rounder had last played a Test match four years ago at Manchester and had decided not to play Test matches to focus more on his one-day and T20 career.
"I'll see whether my body will allow me to continue playing in all three formats after the tour of England. It's a long tour and will be followed by a lot of more Tests and one-dayers before the World Cup," Afridi said.
Afridi, who was convinced by the selectors to come out of his voluntary Test retirement before being handed over the captaincy for all the three squads, said wants himself to be perfectly fit for next year's World Cup.
"I want to be perfectly fit for the World Cup because it's my dream that we win it like we did in 1992," he said.
However, Afridi's critics have already termed him as a failed Test player, adding that he is unlikely to impress much in the upcoming series in England.
In an interview, earlier this month, Afridi's Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting raised doubts over his Test ability.
"If you read between the lines he's almost in there as that leader and captain, not necessarily one of their best Test players," Ponting had said.
"So we'll test him out. Even in the one dayers in Australia last season with our quicks bowling the way they did to him, I think we can sort him out in Test cricket for sure," he added.
However, Afridi is confident of a good show against both Australia and England.
"He (Ponting) may think whatever he likes but I'm confident about my batting and am looking forward to playing Test cricket again," said Afridi, who averages 37.40 in 26 Tests.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
