“I want to focus completely on building a strong team that is capable of winning back the title for Pakistan”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has revealed that he may consider quitting other formats to solely focus on Twenty20 cricket.

Afridi stated that he will think about retiring from ODIs after the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“I might do this because the PCB has appointed me captain of the national T20 side until the World T20 in 2016, and I want to focus completely on building a strong team that is capable of winning back the title for Pakistan,” Afridi said.

Afridi also noted that he would rather allow younger players to represent Pakistan than occupying a spot on the roster just for the sake of it.

“I quit Test cricket because I was not enjoying it and felt I was not contributing enough as a player,” he said. “I enjoy playing limited overs cricket but after the World Cup, I can rethink my priorities for ODIs.”

When asked why he prefers playing Twenty20 cricket above all other formats, Afridi said: “It is a different brand of game and you have to be at your best and what I like is that it is so popular among the masses.”

Meanwhile, veteran batsman Younis Khan applauded the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to appoint Afridi as Twenty20 captain.

“Shahid is a fighter by nature and he knows the art of motivating the team and leading from the front,” Khan said. “I would love to see him lift the 2016 World T20.”

Khan is also confident that Pakistan have a decent chance of winning the 2015 World Cup.

“We can do well in the coming World Cup provided we play as a unit and the captains lead from the front,” he said. “The event is also a great opportunity for our senior players to leave a big impact on Pakistan cricket.”