Afridi to return to Test arena by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

Shahid Afridi

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DateLine: 22nd May 2010

 

Pakistani T20 skipper Shahid Afridi said that he would end his exile from Test cricket and was now ready to play the longer form of the game for his country.

 

"I am ready to play Test cricket because I feel that my country needs me... and in this time of need I would not let my team and the country down," Afridi said.

 

Citing family commitments in 2006 after playing the last of his 26 Tests, against England in Manchester, the 30-year-old had scored 1,638 runs, five centuries and took 47 wickets in Test matches.

 

"My father was ill and my family wanted more attention from me so I was mainly focusing on the shorter forms of the game, but now we have to play six Tests in England and my team needs me, so I am available," said Afridi.

 

Appointed captain of the Twenty20 squad after regular captain Younis Khan retired from the format last year, Afridi led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in the West Indies last week.

 

He is now tipped to lead Pakistan in next month's Asia Cup, to be held in Sri Lanka from June 15-24, and his availability for Tests makes him favourite to lead the team on the tour of England as well.