Pakistan's flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi said he is keen to take
on his old role of opening the innings in the one-day series against South Africa.
Afridi has been sent into bat lower down the order for the last few months and
opened only once against Bangladesh in the Twenty20 World Cup last month, scoring
30-odd runs.
"I have told my captain and coach that I am willing to open the innings
if the team wants it. But if they feel the team requirement is I bat lower down
the order I have no problems with that as well," he said.
Afridi said he was keen to open again because of the problem
Pakistan was facing at this position for sometime now.
"I feel comfortable batting as an opener because it gives me the freedom
of playing with the field restrictions," he said.
Afridi said he was looking forward to the Indian tour and would
be available for Tests and one-dayers.
The all-rounder had skipped the Tests against South Africa
saying he wanted to take a break from the game to attend to some personal and
family commitments.
"The break was necessary but now I am feeling good and
the Indian tour would be a big challenge for me and the team." Afridi now
is the senior most player in the side after the retirement of Inzamam-ul-Haq
as he made his debut in 1996-97 ahead of Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar.
"Being a senior player is good and I like the responsibility. It has improved
and helped me as a bowler as well," he stated.
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