Pak World Cup chances will not be affected by spot-fixing controversies: Afridi

KARACHI - Pakistan cricket may be in turmoil due to unending controversies, but ODI captain Shahid Afridi believes that it would not affect the morale of the team in next year’s World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended three Pakistan players over alleged ’spot-fixing’ charges, while four more are under the scanner, but Afridi said that the team is determined to do well in the event which will be held in the Indian subcontinent from February 19.

“I strongly believe that Pakistan will be among the top contenders. There have been many controversies recently, but we will leave them behind to concentrate on World Cup,” the Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

“We have good batting line up and talented bowlers. All of them are confident of good show,” he added.

When asked how he is going to motivate his team, Afridi said, “Pakistan has suffered a lot. Flood, terrorism and the spot-fixing scandal in cricket. Our hockey team has given us a reason to smile after winning the Asiad gold and now we want to complete the success saga.”

“We will win the World Cup for our countrymen. People of India and Pakistan are crazy about cricket. It is like a religion for them. Sometimes it is hard to fulfill all their expectations, but we are desperate to win this time,” he added. (ANI)