Afridi calls for focus

Pakistan preparing hard for return to action

Last updated: 1st September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Maybe in the ground we will forget everything and try to play some good cricket to entertain the people.

Shahid Afridi
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Pakistan's squad are looking forward to getting back on the field after a difficult few days, limited-overs skipper Shahid Afridi has admitted.

The tourists play Somerset in a 50-over warm-up match at Taunton on Thursday, the first time they have been in action since the News of the World's spot-fixing allegations broke on the final day of the Lord's Test.

Afridi, who was not part of the Test squad but returns to lead his country in two T20s and five ODIs against England, has been concentrating his efforts on repairing damaged morale within the ranks.

Pakistan will be without Test skipper Salman Butt and seamers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif at Taunton as the trio have been summoned to London as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board's own investigation into recent events.

"Yesterday we did a really good practice session which the boys enjoyed," Afridi told Sky Sports News on Wednesday.

"Myself and the coach (Waqar Younis) are trying to keep the guys' morale high because it is a tough series against a good team.

Focused

"They are all very focused - what happened has gone now - these boys are here to play some good cricket.

"Playing against England in English conditions is always challenging.

"We are all very focused and I know it is very tough going from such a serious situation (spot-fixing allegations).

"Maybe in the ground we will forget everything and try to play some good cricket to entertain the people."

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