Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has admitted that he is worried about his inconsistent form in recent months as it could also affect his performance and confidence as captain of the national T20 team in the lead-up to next year’s World T20 in India. “I have been worried with my own form in batting and bowling. Because being the senior most player in the T20 side as well as being the captain I carry the responsibility of performing with bat and ball,” Afridi said. The experienced all-rounder, fresh after leading Pakistan to a 2-0 whitewash of the T20 series in Zimbabwe, is preparing to shift with his family to Lahore from Karachi in order to avail the training facilities at the national cricket academy. “I will be shifting to Lahore until the World T20 as it will allow me to focus completely on cricket, work hard and train to regain my best form and also keep in constant touch with the chief selector and players,” Afridi said. Afridi, 35, who has already retired from Test and One-day cricket has scored just 110 runs in his last 10 matches and taken six wickets. The Pakistan Cricket Board and team management have so far backed the struggling all-rounder but with important T20 matches lined up against England, in New Zealand and probably the Asian T20 Championship before the World event in India even Afridi is aware of the importance of finding form. “The cricketing and training facilities are better in Lahore because of the NCA that is why I have decided to move there until the World T20 event,” Afridi said. Afridi said that even as a player he was frustrated himself at not getting runs and wickets. “Once you have played for so many years it gets frustrating not to perform consistently. I know that with some hard training and the right focus I can hit my best form soon,” he said. Afridi is also being advised to play a few first class matches to get back his batting and bowling confidence but the all-rounder said he had already informed the selectors he wanted to play in the T20 series against the England Lions team in UAE after the England senior team series. “I am also open to offers to play in the Bangladesh premier league as it will help me get back into the right mode,” he said. Afridi confirmed he had decided to reduce his workload and commitments associated with charity and other development work being carried out by his foundation until the World T20. “This time the event is important for us because we have a bunch of players who can go the distance and it is in India. That is why I have decided to focus on only cricket until the World T20,” he said.
