Shahid Afridi expecting good competition in the one-off T20

Despite Bangladesh romping to a 3-0 ODI series win, Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi thinks the one-off 20-over match will be a ‘good game’.

The teams will clash in the lone T20 match of the series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.

“At the moment, (our) T20 team is better than the ODI side. I am not saying we will win one-sided. It will be a good game,” the 35-year old, who signed out from the 50-over format after the World Cup, said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Rather than sulking over the ODI series result, Afridi is concentrating on the T20.

“It is a new format now. (I) myself, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez are all back. We have a very good combination in T20. I am very positive and confident that we will do well.”

Afridi said he had no plan to return to ODIs. He is focussed on organising the team for the next World T20 and preparing a future captain.

Pakistan have won all seven T20s played between the two nations. Afridi is keen to maintain the winning streak to help Pakistan recover from the dejection of the 3-0 ODI series defeat.

“I have to perform well, because, whenever I do, it helps Pakistan. Everyone doesn’t need to do well but if eleven players can do enough, it will help us win.”