Lanka tough opponents at home: Afridi by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Shahid Afridi
Event:	Pakistan in Sri Lanka 2009

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DateLine: 2nd July 2009

 

Swashbuckling Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said Pakistan will face a tough challenge in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

 

Afridi, who was Pakistan’s main star in the ICC T20 World Championship and was the man-of-the-match in the semi-final and the final of the tournament, has opted out of the Test series which begins in Galle on Saturday in order to rest.

 

He, however, believes the conditions in Sri Lanka will offer a tough prospect compared to England.

 

"It will not be easy for the players to shift focus from Twenty20 to Test cricket," Afridi said.

 

"Sri Lanka are tough opponents at home and the conditions will be very different from England. For us to beat them, every player will have to give 100%."

 

Afridi will return for playing in the shorter formats of the game. The right-hander though was critical of the timing of the series.

 

"There should have been a longer gap in the schedule so that the players could have prepared for the series better," Afridi said.

 

"They haven't had time to enjoy their win in the World Cup and were at home for just three days. They haven't had time to relax and prepare sufficiently for the series."