LAHORE: Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi on Friday said while Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deserves a lot of praise for holding the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Doha next year, it would have been better if the league was staged in Pakistan, with or without the foreign players since the home fans are starved for cricket here.

Talking to reporters here on Friday before the start of the national training camp for the limited-overs tour to Zimbabwe, Afridi said: “First of all, the PCB should be given credit that it is going to hold the PSL, which could not be held in the past despite many attempts. But [I think] it will be better for our cricket, if we organise it in Pakistan,” the experienced all-rounder, said.

“I won’t care if world’s big players do not come to Pakistan for the PSL. And I also don’t believe that big players will not come here if you invite them if you offer them attractive packages,” insisted Afridi.

The dashing all-rounder added that he has himself talked to some foreign players to convince them to visit Pakistan for the PSL and they were willing to do that. “However, I pray to the Almighty for the successful staging of the inaugural PSL [in Doha],” he added.

Noting that the overall security situation in the country is improving gradually, Afridi said if the PSL was held in Pakistan the country’s venues would been thronged by enthusiastic fans who have been starved for international level cricket since 2009.

Commenting on the Pakistan-India series which is scheduled to be held later this year but has hit snags due to the ongoing political tension between the two countries, Afridi said Pakistan should not lose sleep over playing against India. “I don’t know why we are pushing for the series against India again and again,” he said.

“I don’t see any reason to play [against India] if they don’t want to play. We have invited them and if they do not want to play, then it shouldn’t be any worry, we are still happy. There are many other teams against whom we can play,” he added.

Pakistan last hosted India for a Test series in 2006. Afridi reminded that Pakistan always supported India in hard times. “But I think all depends on the decision of the Indian government in this regard. I am sure that people of both the countries want to see cricket between the two teams as it is bigger than Ashes.”

Meanwhile, responding to a question, Afridi disclosed that during the camp Salman Butt met him at the NCA and offered apology for being involved in the terrible crime of spot-fixing along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. “Yes, Salman talked to me for a while and was apologetic but I told him that he should have asked for it much earlier. However, I advised him to play domestic cricket,” he said.

Commenting on the upcoming tour to Zimbabwe, Afridi said he does not underestimate any team, particularly in T20, as any opponent could cause an upset in the game. “Zimbabwe will be formidable rivals in the contest since they will be playing in their home conditions,” Afridi stated. “Don’t forget that Zimbabwe also gave us tough time in their last history-making tour to Pakistan earlier this year.”

Giving his views on Pakistan T20 team, Afridi said it was good that some promising youngsters had been selected. “Different combinations of players were being tested by the selectors to finalise a strong combination before the next year’s World T20.”

Afridi said he wanted to play for Pakistan ‘A’ against England in the practice matches to be held before the start of the series against English team in the UAE in October and has spoken to chief selector on this matter as well.

To a query, he said some players had impressed with their performances in the recently concluded National T20 Cup in Rawalpindi. “While some of those good performers have been selected, a couple of them are still missing, but they will also get their chance,” the skipper said.

He defended the selection of unfit paceman Anwar Ali in the national team. “Yes, Anwar featured in the National T20 Cup final [for Karachi] after taking pain-killing injection and medicines, as his participation was important for the Karachi team,” he said.

However, Afridi said Anwar had discussed his fitness problem with the national selection committee, but he did not know what they discussed.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2015

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