Afridi all praise for century-scoring Hafeez
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 at Christchurch.
Pakistan were on the back foot in the series after the team lost their first match of the series by 9 wickets at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864.
The second match at Queenstown also turned out to be a disappointment as it was washed away after Pakistan had got off to a good start.
The team didn’t get a good start in today’s game but Hafeez remained focused and went on to make 115 runs.
After the match, Afridi praised Hafeez, “The way Hafeez started, he played like an experienced player. Misbah and Hafeez took the responsibility to ensure that we batted for the full 50 overs. We played mature cricket.”
Praising the efforts of his bowlers, the flamboyant all-rounder said it wasn’t easy to bowl in batting-friendly conditions. Umar Gul has been performing well in all three forms of the game and a lot of hopes are being pinned on him, Afridi added.
The Pakistan captain played a vital part in the outcome of the match today as he scored a quick-fire fifty off just 19 balls.
“We were all looking forward to winning the game and I am happy to have done my part. I was concentrating and thinking of spending more time out there. My spin did well on a track that was getting a bit of turn too,” the skipper said.
Afridi went to the game under pressure to perform as his selection as captain of the team for the World Cup hinges on his performance during the series. The PCB is yet to announce the captain, and reports suggested that the board intended to review Afridi’s
performance as a leader and a player in the ongoing series. Today’s performance is likely to have earned him the honour to lead the team in the mega event.
Pakistan will play their next match against New Zealand on 01 February at Napier. The series is levelled 1-1, with three matches to go.
Tags: