Shahid Afridi has made himself available for the upcoming tour of West Indies after previously opting for a break.
'Boom Boom' available for Caribbean tour
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has made himself available for the upcoming tour of West Indies after previously opting for a break.
Afridi, who captained Pakistan to the semi-finals of the recent World Cup, has had a change of heart and is now available for the entire Caribbean tour, which begins with a Twenty20 match on April 21.
Speaking on his decision, 'Boom Boom' admits his friends and family had a major part to play in the U-turn.
"Earlier I had decided to skip the tour because I wanted to take a well-deserved rest from the game, but some former players and my family and friends told me to change my decision at this crucial time for Pakistan cricket," Afridi told
Express News.
Momentum
Afridi, 31, finished the World Cup with 21 wickets to his name, joining India's Zaheer Khan as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
And, with a new crop of younger players beginning to find their feet in the Pakistan side, Afridi believes it is important that he helps their progression in the Caribbean.
"That is why I want to be part of the team on the coming tour and carry on the momentum we got from the World Cup," he said.
Afridi revealed the morale of the players was boosted by the warm welcome they received upon returning from the World Cup.
"It is an indication that Pakistan cricket is on the right track and on the coming tours to West Indies and Zimbabwe we can form an ideal one-day combination," he added.
