Bangladesh deserve to play in final: Afridi

Pakistan cricket team accorded reception

Pakistan Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi praised the performance of Bangladesh and said on Thursday that they have entered into the final of the Asia Cup T20 2016 by playing their better brand of cricket.
“I think the way the guys are playing cricket and have performed in the Asia Cup they deserved for the final,” said Shahid Afridi, who showed his prowess with both bat and ball for Pakistan.
“I think they’ll do better. My best wishes for them to do well in the final,” Afridi told media at a reception hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner in Bangladesh in honour of the visiting Pakistan cricket team.
Shuja Alam, Pakistan High Commissioner in Bangladesh, former president and Jatiya Pary chairman HM Ershad, Mahbub Anam, vice-president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), high-ups of Pakistan embassy in Bangladesh, Pakistani community in Bangladesh and other dignitaries were also present.
The reception programme was started by Shuja Alam's welcome speech at a local city hotel, where he also lauded Bangladesh team's performance in Asia Cup.
Afridi, the 36-year-old all-rounder, who scored 1215 and took 93 wickets from 93 appearances in T20, said that they have tried to give equal opportunity to players to sort out the best squad for the upcoming ICC World T20 2016.
“We’ve tried to give chances to those who played well in national and international competition for the team. I think our people and fans had a great expectation on us. But we could not perform as per expectation,” the all-rounder said, who played 93 T20 Internationals with the strike rate of 149.92.
The right-handed stroke-maker tipped the Group-2 as tough group and said that they have to face the uphill task to do well in the World T20.
On the other hand, pace sensation Mohammad Aamir, who made a fantastic comeback after being suspended five-year for match-fixing scam, praising Bangladesh’s performance said that Soumya Sarkar made the most difference between Bangladesh-Pakistan match.
“I think it’s a T20 cricket. Chasing the target of 130 became easier and one-sided match by Soumya Sarkar. I think the momentum in T20 may come in one over,” Mohammad Aamir said.
The 23-year-old seamer, who played in Bangladesh Cricket League (BPL) for Chittagong Vikings, said that the BPL gave the big boost for Bangladesh Cricket in T20.
“Last two years they did well. At the moment, they are looking very strong side,” he said.
“Our bowling side is strong but if our batting side could be clicked then we could be beat any team. Now the team is well-balanced. To keep it on, we all have to support each other,” he said, adding “We’ve enough chemistry in the team. But now we needed just to boost our confidence. These guys will do better in World T20.”
When asked about who is favourite in the Asia Cup final, the young pace sensation said, “I can’t say anything. But it’s T20 cricket. So, let’s see what is happened.”

Bangladesh deserve to play in final: Afridi

Pakistan cricket team accorded reception

Pakistan Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi praised the performance of Bangladesh and said on Thursday that they have entered into the final of the Asia Cup T20 2016 by playing their better brand of cricket. I think the way the guys are playing cricket and have performed in the Asia Cup they deserved for the final, said Shahid Afridi, who showed his prowess with both bat and ball for Pakistan. I think theyll do better. My best wishes for them to do well in the final, Afridi told media at a reception hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner in Bangladesh in honour of the visiting Pakistan cricket team. Shuja Alam, Pakistan High Commissioner in Bangladesh, former president and Jatiya Pary chairman HM Ershad, Mahbub Anam, vice-president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), high-ups of Pakistan embassy in Bangladesh, Pakistani community in Bangladesh and other dignitaries were also present. The reception programme was started by Shuja Alams welcome speech at a local city hotel, where he also lauded Bangladesh teams performance in Asia Cup. Afridi, the 36-year-old all-rounder, who scored 1215 and took 93 wickets from 93 appearances in T20, said that they have tried to give equal opportunity to players to sort out the best squad for the upcoming ICC World T20 2016. Weve tried to give chances to those who played well in national and international competition for the team. I think our people and fans had a great expectation on us. But we could not perform as per expectation, the all-rounder said, who played 93 T20 Internationals with the strike rate of 149.92. The right-handed stroke-maker tipped the Group-2 as tough group and said that they have to face the uphill task to do well in the World T20. On the other hand, pace sensation Mohammad Aamir, who made a fantastic comeback after being suspended five-year for match-fixing scam, praising Bangladeshs performance said that Soumya Sarkar made the most difference between Bangladesh-Pakistan match. I think its a T20 cricket. Chasing the target of 130 became easier and one-sided match by Soumya Sarkar. I think the momentum in T20 may come in one over, Mohammad Aamir said. The 23-year-old seamer, who played in Bangladesh Cricket League (BPL) for Chittagong Vikings, said that the BPL gave the big boost for Bangladesh Cricket in T20. Last two years they did well. At the moment, they are looking very strong side, he said. Our bowling side is strong but if our batting side could be clicked then we could be beat any team. Now the team is well-balanced. To keep it on, we all have to support each other, he said, adding Weve enough chemistry in the team. But now we needed just to boost our confidence. These guys will do better in World T20. When asked about who is favourite in the Asia Cup final, the young pace sensation said, I cant say anything. But its T20 cricket. So, lets see what is happened.