DURBAN, Sept 21: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on Friday said the decision to open the batting against Bangladesh with explosive opener Shahid Afridi was taken by the player himself.
Afridi hit 39 from just 15 deliveries to lay the platform for Pakistan’s four-wicket victory over Bangladesh, and the man known as ‘Boom Boom Afridi’ may now retain his position at the head of the innings for the rest of the tournament.
”I don’t want to put pressure on any player, so I asked him (Afridi) what he’s comfortable with and he said he wanted to open the batting,” disclosed Malik. “That’s fine with me if a senior player like Afridi takes the brunt early on.” — Agencies