‘Not 100 per cent satisfied with Pak team’s World Cup preparations’: Afridi

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s One-day International captain Shahid Afridi has said that he is not fully satisfied with his team’s preparations for the World Cup 2011, which is to be co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“I am not 100 per cent satisfied with the team’s preparations for the World Cup,” the Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

“We’ve had problems on every tour, and although there aren’t high expectations (of winning the World Cup), as captain I’m positive and will keep on motivating the team,” he added.

His comments came just a day after team manager Intikhab Alam had said that Pakistan was capable of winning the ICC World Cup.

Following Pakistan’s defeat in the Twenty20 and one-day series against South Africa in the UAE, Afridi said that he needed experienced players for the World Cup.

“You can’t take a new team to the World Cup,” he said, adding, “I know there’s not much expectations from our team, but I will continue to motivate my players.”

Afridi said that for the New Zealand tour, he wanted senior players Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal in the team, who have been ignored by the selectors while deciding the Twenty 20 and Test squads. The Pakistan team for ODIs against the Black Caps will be named later.

“They (Malik and Akmal) are requirements of the team,” said Afridi, adding, “I think you (reporters) should ask the Pakistan Cricket Board and the selection committee what’s the problem in the selection of Malik and Akmal.”

The ODI captain said he wanted the Pakistan cricketers pool for next year’s World Cup to be finalized as soon as possible, so that he could have a fair idea about the composition of the team.

“I know it’s difficult (World Cup), but I am positive that we could do well,” he added. (ANI)