Shahid Afridi Confident Tourists Will do Better in ODIs

HOBART: Shahid Afridi is confident of a reversal in Pakistan's fortunes in their limited-overs series against Australia getting underway from January 22 in Brisbane, writes Khalid Hussain.

The Pakistan vice-captain told 'The News' in a telephonic interview from Adelaide on Friday that the tourists have the firepower to bounce back from their Test series defeat and give the hosts a run for their money in the five-match ODI contest as well as the tour-ending Twenty20 International in Melbourne on February 5.

Pakistan are currently trailing 0-2 in the threep-Test series and seem unlikely to win the third one either as Australia were in complete control of the match on the second day on Friday with skipper Ricky Ponting smashing 209.

Afridi, 29, blamed lack of Test experience for Pakistan's below-par showing in the series but made it clear that Mohammad Yousuf's men are stronger in limited-overs cricket.

"The problem is that in this (Test) team most of them are one-day players," said Afridi. "There is no doubt in my mind that we are a very good one-day team. I'm confident that we will do much better in the ODIs and the Twenty20 game."

Afridi said that Pakistan have a solid chance of winning the ODI series to avenge their Test defeats. "I won't say that we are going to win the one-day series but our team definitely has the potential to do that. We will definitely be playing good cricket in the series."

But he stressed that the team's senior players including himself will have to deliver to lift Pakistan's hopes in the one-day series.

"We are the ones who have to lead by example. It's always important for the senior players to perform their role but against top teams like Australia, it's just vital. You can't beat them without the senior players doing their job."

Afridi is in Adelaide with South Australia to feature in the Big Bash ― Australia's domestic Twenty20 tournament. He was an instant success in the popular event and has played an important role in guiding South Australia to the final of the tournament to be held in Adelaide on January 23.

Afridi, however, will be missing the final as he will be joining Pakistan in Brisbane on January 19 ahead of the series opener there on January 22.

Will he miss playing the eagerly-awaited Big Bash final?

"Not really," he said. "I mean for me playing for Pakistan is the ultimate thing and I hope to play my role in the one-day series."

Afridi, however, will be featuring in Redbacks' preliminary match of the event against New South Wales at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Sunday (tomorrow) night.