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KARACHI: Former captain Shahid Afridi hopes to return to action once again in the remainder of the 2020 Pakistan Super League that begins on Saturday.
Afridi, who last played in March 2020 when PSL was detained due to the coronavirus pandemic, said he feels “fit” and “motivated” to get back in action for his team.
“I have not played cricket since the last time I played in PSL, but I am in shape and I have been training at the moment, so I am looking forward to the play-off stage of the league,” he said on Friday.
The 40-year-old is one of the most experienced active cricketers and has played more than 930 professional matches for various teams in his career of around 25 years.
The upcoming games will be a different experience for him, as these matches will be played behind closed doors and there will be no spectators in the stands to cheer on the players.
When asked about the absence of a crowd at matches due to the coronavirus pandemic, he said that the crowd is “the most important part” of the game.
“All my life I have enjoyed the energy of the crowd in the stadiums. What I have achieved is because of all the love that the fans have given me and I will miss them in the remaining PSL games. However, there is no other option, as we must be careful during these difficult times, ”Afridi added.
I was hoping I could provide some entertainment for people watching these games at home.
Responding to a question, Afridi said that everyone is excited for the rest of the PSL and that they hope to complete the PSL season in the proper way.
“We are all excited, not just me, all the players are equally excited. The owners are also excited, as the teams that failed to do well at the beginning of the season are now competing for the trophy, ”he said.
Afridi added that his team, Multan Sultans, has established themselves well ahead of the pack and hopes to continue the momentum.
“The good sign for our team is that we have won both of our preparation games and have regained the momentum we wanted before the play-offs,” he said.
Multan Sultans will play the Karachi Kings in the PSL first qualifier on Saturday and the winner will secure a direct place in the final on the 17th. The losing side will have to play against the winners of the Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi match.
