http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 not pleased by Indian media negativity – ICC World Cup 2011 news
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has expressed disappointment at the negativity being propagated towards his team before the upcoming semi-final against archrivals India.
The match is being anticipated to be the most hyped clash of the ICC World Cup 2011. The mega event is being hosted by India, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
While talking to a Pakistani news channel, the Pakistan captain said, “There is so much negativity in the Indian media. There is nothing positive to watch on the channels and we are just sticking together as a team and it is just the hotel and ground for
us.”
The hard-hitting all-rounder reiterated that the only way the Pakistan squad could hit back at the criticism of the Indian media was by giving a commendable performance on the field once they set foot on the Mohali cricket ground. Afridi insisted that his
side will give their best against India, and irrespective of the match result, he would be a satisfied man knowing that his team gave its level best.
Afridi reiterated that his comments regarding the 100th century of India’s ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar was completely taken out of context by the Indian media. He suggested that he had no doubts about the batting abilities of Tendulkar but as
the skipper of the Pakistan team he was obviously not going to say that his side would let the Indian batsman score a hundred playing against them.
Earlier, Afridi had stated that Sachin will have to wait for his 100th century after the World Cup as Pakistan would not let him reach the hallmark against them.
Speaking on the playing conditions at night in Mohali, Afridi acknowledged that dew will be a key factor as the conditions were quite humid in Mohali. However, he revealed that the authorities in India were using chemicals to counter the dew on the outfield,
which will make bowling second easier.
The flamboyant hitter did not give his final word regarding the inclusion of Pakistan’s express bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 by Ross
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292. The two veterans are adamant supporters of Akhtar’s inclusion against India.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 believes that even if Akhtar can bowl four to five overs he should be given a chance to play. On the other hand, Afridi in his interview made it clear that he would want a fit Akhtar who could bowl 8 to 10 overs.
“We want him in such a high-profile match but we don’t want him for just four or five overs, we want him to bowl his full quota of overs,” he added.
Pakistan will meet India on Wednesday in a match which will end one team’s World Cup dream and carry the other to the final which will either be played against New Zealand or Sri Lanka depending on which team qualifies from that semi-final.
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