Pakistan v India: Afridi hoping he can rally team with a special performance
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Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi said he wanted to take responsibility and put up a winning performance when his team takes on arch-rivals India in their Asia Cup opener on Saturday.
Afridi's flagging performances have meant Pakistan have won just one of their last six T20 internationals, and the enigmatic captain knows it.
The all-rounder scored just 38 runs in three matches against New Zealand in January and also failed against England in November.
“I always gave importance to my performances because it is important for my team,” Afridi told reporters at Fatullah, just outside the Bangladesh capital on Friday.
Afridi said he was taking his bowling more seriously as the team's batting order did not allow him to play the power-hitter's role at the top.
“My main strength is my bowling but I understand that where I bat I can also contribute for the team and that is important.
“Whether it is 20 or 30 runs but it is important as it all counts,” he added.
India has defeated Pakistan in all but one of their previous T20 internationals but Afridi said past results were irrelevant.
“I am not thinking what we have done against India in the past because I don't live in the past,” he said.
The skipper said he hoped that his team would be able to give India a competitive match after their players had some useful practice in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League.
Afridi, who celebrates hist 36th birthday on March 1, brushed aside his retirement talks to focus on the Asia Cup and next month's ICC World T20 in India.
Last year Afridi announced his intention to retire from international cricket after the World T20, but in a recent interview with a leading cricket website he said he is facing a “lot of pressure” to change his mind.
Aware that retirement talks could distract his team, Afridi said he was setting his sights on the Asia Cup and ICC World T20.
“I think for me the Asia Cup and the World Cup (World T20) is more important than my retirement. I am focusing on that at the moment,” Afridi said.
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On DawnNews
Feb 26, 2016 09:17pm
Well he can do that sitting on the bench from outside ...let younger players take the center stage
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Feb 26, 2016 09:23pm
Yaa right !
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Feb 26, 2016 09:40pm
Pakistan always plays with 10 players if Afridi is in the team.
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Feb 27, 2016 12:41am
I think his contribution shouldn't only be judged for a batting performance, be sure he is also a good spinner and even better fielder as well, so let him do what ever he is doing for years...we mostly enjoying sensational cricket moments through his batting, bowling or fielding...Isn't so nice ?
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Feb 27, 2016 12:49am
he is an accidental hero. maximum 10 runs if he gets lucky.
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Feb 27, 2016 12:54am
Cricket is all about entertainment and no one can provide more entertainment than Afridi. Hope he does well. I don't like his recent performances either but when I think of Pakistan team without him, I don't feel excited.
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Feb 27, 2016 12:55am
it will take some effort to beat India.
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Feb 27, 2016 01:03am
Have a great game guys no matter who win or lose , the decorum should be maintained . Respect to the game and humanity .
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Feb 27, 2016 01:23am
No one can beat the age. In cricket, a good eye sight and quick reaction are important and they are both affected by the aging process. As we will soon find out it is mistake to let Afridi stay in the team.
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Feb 27, 2016 01:28am
Like to see high scoring game because that's the T20 cricket is all about.
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Feb 27, 2016 01:41am
Dhoni will never say that 'he hope to give better performance against Pakistan' or 'he hoped to give Pakistan competive match'. Reason, he is their to Win the match not just giving competitive match and he is their to win the trophy and Pakistan is just one team and it is a group match. He will never give any extra importance to one match. Even after beating Pakitan W50, he said Pakistan will beat India in ICC trophy one day and there is nothing special when India best Pakistan in that cup.
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Feb 27, 2016 02:02am
Afridi, we're counting on your bowling, not your batting!
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Feb 27, 2016 02:32am
Afridi is not even a good player let alone a good captain.
Shame on PCB for sticking with Afridi as a captain after so many failures.
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Feb 27, 2016 02:50am
Judging from comments, just pathetic how some people are treating our hero and captain, that too before a major tournament. United we stand but divided we fall down - please grow up guys. His record and drive is far ahead of your narrow minds! He is better than lots of free riders in the team, the wold knows it.
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Feb 27, 2016 03:04am
Its because of his past that gave him the hero status so afridi past will ride on your mind while plyaing, rest is skill and luck.
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Feb 27, 2016 03:13am
Stop playing soccer!!
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Feb 27, 2016 03:14am
Our nation believes on his statements as they believe on his batting! Open your eyes guys its never too late!
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Feb 27, 2016 03:26am
Yessss please BUT that special performance I hope is the performance of ur lifetime or as the magicians call it the disappearing act.
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Feb 27, 2016 03:27am
Afridee is now an out of date player...He is now a liability on Pakistan .....He must not be given any chance to play in Pakistan team.
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Feb 27, 2016 05:48am
Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi. You cannot hit every ball for a six! Please build your innings, rotate the strike and punish bad balls.
T/20 team vs India: 1. Sarjeel 2. Sarfraz 3. Hafeez 4. K. Manzoor 5. U. Akmal 6. S. Malik 7. S. Afridi 8. M. Nawaz 9. W. Riaz 10. M. Amir 11. M. Sami/Irfan
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Feb 27, 2016 06:27am
The only way to win is to score at least a fifty by afridi while everyone else contributes there shares. Bowler afridi can not win this game in 4 overs.batsman afridi can.only chance
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Feb 27, 2016 06:31am
We will know by tomorrow.
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Feb 27, 2016 07:03am
"My main strength is my bowling". AFRIDI Are you sure?
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Feb 27, 2016 07:06am
Yesterday you said you have pressure from everyone to keep on playing. Please do not drag yourself and your greed for financial benefits. You have to retire one day and it is high time for you to do it.
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Feb 27, 2016 07:11am
Haven't following Pak cricket that much lately but surprised to see so much dislike for Afridi. He was huge hero not long ago.
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Feb 27, 2016 07:20am
Now that you are there, all we can do is hope you will click and put a smile on our faces. Good luck!
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Feb 27, 2016 07:45am
@Iqbal Ha ha...that was hilarious.
No but he is there bcos he is still better than others.
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Feb 27, 2016 10:58am
See. Didn't I say he and Shazad are best friend and behave in a similar fashion. No performance but media statements with every passing day.
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Feb 27, 2016 11:04am
I dont understand what is wrong with you guys... His performance as a bowler was better than any Pakistani bowler against England series. In NZ also he performed better than most other bowlers even better than Amir... Why do you keep criticising his batting skills. He at present is best Pak bowler who sometimes also show his potential in batting.. He certainly deserves his place in Pak team as a bowler..
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Feb 27, 2016 11:21am
Waqar is a very talented player undoubtedly. In his days days he could be so destructive for any team. Modern day cricketer is different. But he is not a good coach. He have no game plane. Look at Hatoray Shinge an average player but an extraordinary coach. Pak can beat India.
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Feb 27, 2016 11:39am
According to great Ponting, "Afridi's quick fire century on 36 balls was the greatest disservice to Pakistan cricket."
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Feb 27, 2016 01:13pm
Watch Pakistan VS India AsiaCup 2016 LIVE HDStrems : http://bit.ly/PakVSInd
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Feb 27, 2016 01:15pm
Good luck Pak team.
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Feb 27, 2016 02:11pm
as an india I want india to win
but I have a feeling pakistan may win today :-)
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Feb 27, 2016 02:33pm
high hopes !! look at the captain of opposition, who is cool as a cucumber but performs on the field, in contrast, our Lala who only talks big and is later on forced to chew back his words..... Lala, this match is not the end all ... there is a long route ahead and deliver on the field please ...
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Feb 27, 2016 03:04pm
@Rustom E Hind As a Paistani I want Pakistan to win
but I have a feeling India may win today :-)
#IndvsPak
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Feb 27, 2016 03:12pm
Best team is always a blend of seniors and youngsters. His presence in the team is very crucial.
Just to remind all those who criticize Shahid Afridi's performance, he is second best all rounder in the current ICC Allrounders'list.
It is easier to criticize than appreciate!
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Feb 27, 2016 03:17pm
Good Luck Green Shirts
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Feb 27, 2016 03:28pm
Look at their faces and body language.....it seems they are under pressure before the clash....
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Feb 27, 2016 03:31pm
@Indian Dude look at his stats. Its only one wicket per match.
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Feb 27, 2016 03:57pm
@Ahmer BUT IT NEVER HAPPEN IN FUTURE FOR EVER
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Feb 27, 2016 06:27pm
Let's have fun and enjoy the game and may the better team win and celebrate. Let's put aside our differences and enjoy the game
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Feb 27, 2016 07:56pm
Indian team is too strong for Pakistan... Try next time dear neighbor ..
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Feb 27, 2016 07:59pm
Yes, we see really competitive scores, 83/10
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Feb 27, 2016 09:05pm
Afridi, that was indeed a special performance!
I had told yesterday that pakistan team has no talent except Amir and Sarfraz and look at the match. In the morning I had 73-75 runs for Pakistan and 3 wks on 1 India and that was not too far. So who says Pakistani team is unpredictable?? Imran's team was very talented and they were unpredictable sometimes but this team!! ...Any street team in Karachi Lahore Pindi can beat them on any day. When a non-performer is at the top what can you say about team. And Wahab is no where a fast bowler. He is just a filler bowler. Junaid is much better in technique and action. You could never compare Salim Jaffer to Akram Younis aur Imran. Get the real talent out not only those who are reated to Nawaz or Union Councils.
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Feb 27, 2016 09:26pm
Can someone please find some batsmen in Pakistan ?
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Feb 27, 2016 10:36pm
Change Waqar Younus bring Yousuf Yohana, team will get batsman.
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Feb 27, 2016 10:48pm
He did rally his team - back to the stands within 15 overs. Please, please, resign for Pakistan's sake. You are not a captaincy material.
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Feb 27, 2016 11:08pm
Afridi hoping for special performance? Well, that certainly was. If fact, it was exactly what the doctor ordered. This should ensure that the entire organization is replaced, from top to bottom. From the chairman to the captain, they are all incompetent and must go.
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Feb 27, 2016 11:13pm
Amir bowled extremely well. It was a treat to see him bowl and take three wickets.
With a low score of 83 and a solid batting team, it was hard for Pakistan bowlers to beat India.
Virat was unruffled and played a confident inning supported by Yuraj insuring India a victory.
There were some tense moments for both sides and that creates fun for the spectators.
Drone as usual provides the exciting finale with his spectacular hits all over the field.
It is a game after all. winnings and losings are no ones monopoly and change hands from time to time
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Feb 27, 2016 11:28pm
What a joke this article seems now
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Feb 27, 2016 11:31pm
Today at the toss Afridi said that we are playing 6 batsman and 4 bowlers.
He didn't count himself either a batsman or bowler.
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Feb 28, 2016 02:04am
It is time to make Sarfaraz captain for all three formats as he is like Javed Miandad, always thinking and always involved and strategizing throughout the game. We need to thinker not a so called Hero to lead the team. A good example is Dhoni, learn something from him PCB as you are full of thugs and Parchee system. Losing to a team is one thing but our Pakistan team is losing because of the Parchee system and because of the corrupt system. Nothing would change till we get rid of corruption
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Feb 28, 2016 02:07am
@Indian: My fellow Indian friend, you are correct but we need a thinker as a captain and he cannot which is quite clear. I also think the biggest problem is not him but our Head Coach who has been the biggest problem where his selection criteria is based on his personal likes and dislikes. Winning or losing is part of the game but the way we lost today is what upsetting. I can assure you if we had applied and had an strategy before the game it could have been a nail biting finish.
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Feb 28, 2016 04:22pm
I think afridi must retire he is totally out of form
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Feb 28, 2016 09:37pm
That special performance is getting run out to deny the bowler from taking wicket.
This is Lala's new strategy.
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Feb 29, 2016 04:07am
Adridi's strategy to win matches is 'hope'. My hope is he will be forced to pave ways for others who deserve to be on the team. Afridi is too selfish to lead and to be a part of Pakistan cricket team.
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