Spot-fixing shadow not hampering Pak’s performance in South Africa ODI series: Afridi

DUBAI - Pakistan ODI skipper Shahid Afridi has dismissed suggestions that the recent ’spot-fixing’ allegations were behind his team’s poor performance in the ongoing series against South Africa.

Pakistan currently trails the five-match series, being played in the United Arab Emirates, 2-1.

“I don’t think so that the spot-fixing issue has anything to do with our performance. The boys are now focusing on their cricket. It’s just we are not seizing upon good opportunities to put South Africa out of the game,” the Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

“Our boys have given their 100 percent, but I think the South Africans beat us in the fielding department,” he added.

Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were suspended in September after a British tabloid alleged that they were involved in ’spot-fixing’ the Lord’s Test against England in August.

Meanwhile, the team management has revealed that middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is struggling with an ankle injury that could put him out of the series.

“He twisted his ankle while playing volleyball and was lined up to replace Misbahul Haq in the third match. To avoid an aggravation of his injury, the team management decided to leave him out,” Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam said.

Akmal was sent for a MRI scan, and the management is still waiting for the reports.

“His future in the series would be decided on basis of the report and medical advice,” Alam added. (ANI)