Afridi says Pakistan must build on Twenty20 win

Popular allrounder Shahid Afridi said Pakistan need to build on their historic victory in the World Twenty20 championship as he arrived home Wednesday.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets to win the World Twenty20 title in England — their second biggest win in the sport in 17 years after their 50-over World Cup win in Australia in 1992. Afridi, who won man-of-the-match awards in the semi-final and final, said the team lived up to the expectations of the nation. He scored half centuries on both occasions.

“We are proud champions and, more so, we lived up to the expectations of millions of cricket fans in the country who were seeking some moments of smile,” Afridi told reporters at his residence where a large crowd had gathered to greet him.

But Pakistan need to carry on the winning momentum, he said ahead of next month’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.

“We have met success in one event, but now we have to carry forward this momentum and win more and more series in future,” said Afridi, who arrived in Karachi with team-mates Fawad Alam and Shoaib Malik two days after the squad returned home. Allrounder Abdul Razzaq flew into Lahore. The four players had stayed in England due to some personal commitments.

Eleven other members including captain Younus Khan and team coach Intikhab Alam arrived on Tuesday.

Afridi expressed surprise that fans were deprived of welcoming the triumphant team when they arrived at Lahore due to security concerns.

“I heard that fans had to wait for hours outside Lahore airport but the team was taken away without giving them a glimpse, it’s disappointing for fans,” he said. Afridi was also surprised over captain Younus’s decision to quit T20 cricket after their victory.

“I am surprised, he can still play this form of cricket and is good at it,” he said. Razzaq, who was summoned to England as replacement for injured allrounder Yasir Arafat, praised Younus and coach Intikhab Alam.

“Both Younus and Alam were outstanding and supported me a lot. I needed that because I had come in the team after a long gap,” said Razzaq who joined the team in England after two-year absence from international cricket.

Razzaq, 29, signed with the unrecognised Indian Cricket League in protest after he was left out of the squad for the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007.

He snapped his ties with the league earlier this month to get clearance to play for Pakistan.

“I have my confidence back and now I am ready to play for Pakistan in Tests against Sri Lanka,” said Razzaq who was named in the 15-man squad for the Sri Lanka tour.

Pakistan play three Tests, five one-day and one T20 international. The first Test starts in Galle from July 4.

KARACHI, AFP