Hafeez backs Afridi to come out of crisis soon ? Cricket News ...

Hafeez backs Afridi to come out of crisis soon ? Cricket News Update

Pakistan?s T20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez has backed the out of form experienced all-rounder Shahid Afridi to come out of an extended lean patch soon and regain selectors? confidence for the one-day format of the game as well.

Afridi has been struggling for form, both with the bat and the ball, since the 2011 ICC World Cup, and was dropped for the three ODIs against India, late this month, while retaining him for the preceding T20 Internationals against the Men in Blue.

However, Afridi scored back-to-back half centuries (52 and 92) during the one-day practice matches at the pre-tour training camp in Lahore last week, to press his claims for a recall into the national one-day squad.

?Afridi is a tough guy and I am sure he will wriggle out of the crisis,? said Hafeez after while speaking to media reporters after a long practice session on Sunday. ?He is taking it positively and as a challenge. His preparation for the Twenty20 matches is excellent,? added the Pakistan all-rounder, who has so far played 107 One Day Internationals and 40 T20 Internationals.

Hafeez also paid rich tribute to the Indian batting prodigy Sachin Tendulkar saying he felt dejected about the veteran?s retirement. The 39-year-old Master Blaster, on Sunday afternoon announced retirement from One Day International Cricket, making himself unavailable for selection for the three-match series against Pakistan.

The Pakistan all-rounder, who will be leading the Men in Green during the short two-match T20 series against the Men in Blue, starting on Wednesday, said they will miss the iconic batsman when playing against India over the next couple of weeks.

?Pakistan will miss Tendulkar,? said the Sargodha born right-hander. ?I admired him as he was a dominant cricketer. He upset all types of bowlers during his career,? he added further.

Hafeez also admitted that Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was far more experienced when it comes to captaincy. However, he was not wary of Dhoni?s captaincy tactics and said that his focus during the series would be to keep his team motivated during the pressure games.

"Dhoni is far more experienced captain than me and Misbah-ul-Haq. But having said that every captain has to face challenges. My aim will be to see that my side plays without any pressure and express themselves as much they can," concluded the Pakistan T20 skipper.

The tour opening T20 International between India and Pakistan gets underway in Bangalore on Wednesday, December 25, 2012.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Hafeez-backs-Afridi-to-come-out-of-crisis-soon-Cricket-News-Update-a210884

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