Shahid Afridi offended by Rehman Malik’s comments: ICC World Cup 2011
Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 has expressed his disappointment over comments made by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who warned the team against match-fixing and revealed that they were under surveillance.
Malik made these comments in light of the spot-fixing fiasco which engulfed cricket in Pakistan last year and saw three mainstream players including http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Salman-Butt-c2418, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif get banned from the sport.
Afridi reacted sharply to Malik's remarks by saying, “I don’t think he should have said such a thing at such a time.”
Malik had also stated that strict action would be taken against any player found involved in match-fixing. According to the team management, the timing of these remarks was totally inappropriate, as the players should have nothing on their minds except for
the big semi-final match against arch-rivals India.
While talking about the prospects of the Pakistan team in the crucial semi-final said Malik said, “I had given a warning yesterday (Sunday) that there should be no match fixing. This time I am watching it very closely. If any such thing happens we will take
action.”
Rehman's comments came under severe scrutiny from former great http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319, who criticised the interior minister for putting the team under pressure by making such absurd statements. Khan reiterated that even thinking of fixing a match against India would
be ridiculous, and no Pakistan player would be involved in anything of the kind. He hoped that the Pakistan squad in Mohali would not have heard the interior minister’s illogical rhetoric.
Pakistan are up against difficult opposition for the first time in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2011. They are playing in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at home in a critical game, with a place in the final at stake.
On paper, India surely seems like the better side, but Pakistan have shown commendable performances in reaching the semi-finals. According to cricket experts, the Pakistan team which was written-off for the mega event because of the spot-fixing saga, stunned
everyone by reaching the semis. Pakistan ended defending champion Australia's 34-match unbeaten run in the competition in their last group match with some exceptional bowling.
Pakistan has shown great character even after losing pace bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 had pinned their hopes on Amir to lead the
bowling attack along with fellow pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Asif-c1993.
However, when the two were convicted for spot-fixing, many believed that Pakistan lacked the strength to go beyond the quarter-finals. Pakistan have surpassed expectations by reaching the last four and are now just two games away from lifting the World Cup
for the second time in their history.
Tags: