Belligerent Pakistan all-rounder and former limited-overs skipper, Shahid Afridi, has urged Pakistan Cricket Board selectors to name a squad for September’s ICC World T20 Championship as soon as possible in order to give players time to settle down. Afridi, who is in Sri Lanka these days to play two T20 and five One Day Internationals against the Islanders, told media reporters on Sunday that a delay in picking up the squad for the mega event could affect Pakistan’s chances in the high-profile T20 competition. The 32-year-old flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder insisted that this was the right time to finalize the squad for the esteemed tournament, adding, “It will allow the players to mentally prepare themselves for the challenge and plan ahead. I think any more delay will affect our preparations.” Shahid Afridi played a crucial role in his team’s success in 2009 and 2010 editions and was supposed to lead the green shirts in Sri Lanka. However, the PCB selectors last month named Mohammad Hafeez as the T20 skipper for the ongoing Sri Lanka tour, who is likely to continue the role in the esteemed tournament in September as well. The drawn two-match series against Sri Lanka earlier this month was Hafeez’ first assignment as T20 skipper and Afridi hoped his leadership qualities would improve with time. “Every new captain goes through a learning process,” said Afridi. “Hafeez also has to go through it and learn. I also was able to give my best as captain after going through a phase. Every captain becomes successful after learning with time,” he explained. Afridi, who was changed as the limited overs skipper last June following a spate with the then PCB chief Ijaz Butt
and head coach Waqar Younis, insisted that he was comfortable playing under Misbah or Hafeez. “They are very supportive. They don’t hesitate to discuss things and I have no issues with them at all,” said the hard-hitting batsman, who holds the record of scoring the fastest ODI century, off just 37 balls.
