Not ready to dwell on the past, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi says the moral-boosting win over Bangladesh will hold them in good stead when they clash with arch-rivals India in their crucial ICC World Twenty20 match at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
Stung by unwarranted criticism and controversy, Afridi on Wednesday gave a fitting reply with a brilliant all-round show as he blasted 49 off 19 balls and also took two for 27 in his four overs to help Pakistan avenge their Asia Cup loss to Bangladesh by notching up a 55-run win and start their WT20 campaign on a positive note.
Pakistan’s next WT20 match is against India on Saturday here, a venue where the visitors have never lost to the home team before.
“I don’t want to talk about the past, I don’t live in past. I think we should learn from our mistakes. We have done well against these guys and India have been playing good cricket, even with the last loss. We won this match and everyone is feeling good after this win,” said Afridi at the post match press conference.
Stating that he was happy to see his opening batsmen do well on Wednesday, Afridi said: “I love to give chances to the rest of the batsmen. I think in the last two-three series, the batsmen struggled to find runs. First six overs was important, and Hafeez and Shehzad did very well. That was what we missed in the batting...The partnerships. Openers are very important, Shehzad and even Sharjeel can be very attacking. If he stays first six overs, the team will have 50-60. I expect them to perform well.”