London, June 20: Yet to get over the disappointment of losing the final to arch-rivals India two years ago, Shahid Afridi is desperate to make amends when Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka for the World T20 title at Lords here tomorrow.
The sturdy Pathan turned in a superb all-round performance in the semi-final against South Africa as Pakistan stormed into their second World T20 final in a row.
”We have to win this one,” Afridi said. ”I want to do it on my own if I could. This is our best chance to make up for the disappointment of the past.” Afridi was off-colour for a prolonged period before the current tournament and thanked the Pakistani selectors and the team management for retaining their faith in him.
”I am grateful to the captain (Younus Khan) for backing me all the way,” he said. ”He told me before the game against South Africa that I should play my own game and not worry about anything.” ”He also told me that I was a senior player and needed to take responsibility. I had not done well as a batsman for a long time, but I knew the team was relying on me to deliver.
”I could not let them down. I don’t want to let them down again,” he added.
—Agencies