Pakistan is the most dangerous team, claims Afridi

DHAKA: Pakistan’s One Day International captain, Shahid Khan Afridi, started a psychological campaign against the teams participating in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on Saturday claiming Pakistan is the most dangerous team in the competition.

Afridi upbeat on his team's World Cup chances. Courtesy: Getty Images

Addressing a press conference after landing in Bangladesh city of Mirpur, Boom Boom Afridi said, “We all know how important the competition is for my country. This is a message for the other teams: No one can underestimate us. And when I said dangerous, [I meant] don’t underestimate the Pakistan team. We are with a very good bunch of youngsters and experienced players. It is good to see Kamran Akmal back in the team, Misbah-ul-Haq too is in good form and so is Younus Khan. We also have two genuine spinners and a fast bowler like Shoaib Akhtar.”

Pakistan Captain's Press Conference. Courtesy: Getty Images

Admitting to have been disturbed by a spate of controversies in the recent past, Afridi said, “I think we’re really going through a very tough situation. But I am very happy because we are trying to rebuild the team and keep the morale high. I am confident the team is in very good shape now. We all know how important the World Cup is for us and for our country. The message for other teams is that no one should underestimate us.”

Pakistan are placed in Group A with Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Canada and will play two warm-up matches, one against Bangladesh on Feb 15 and the other against England on Feb 18 both in Dhaka.

Afridi and his men train hard ahead of World Cup. Courtesy: Reuters

The Afridi-led Pakistan will kick-start their World Cup campaign with a match against Kenya in the Sri Lankan town of Hambantota on February 23.

Pakistan’s media has recently been reporting news of rifts in the team but Boom Boom Afridi dispelled all the reports saying, “They feel hungry to win a big event and want to play good cricket and the recent wins in New Zealand had bolstered the team’s morale.”

2011 ICC World Cup - Pakistan Captain's Press Conference. Courtesy: Getty Images

“Fans would see a vastly improved Pakistan in the World Cup. Inshallah (God willing), we will achieve our goal,” Afridi said.

Afridi also put his hand right on the pulse of the cricket-mad Indo-Pak fans when he said he wanted to see Pakistan and India playing in the final of the world cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2.