KARACHI, Jan 27: Expressing delight on his recall, swashbuckling all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes a selection in the one-day side for the upcoming series in South Africa is a huge boost for him ahead of the all-important World Cup.

“I am very happy to be with my team again before the World Cup after missing the (South Africa) Test series,” Afridi said after being selected for the five-match One-day International series and a Twenty20 international against South Africa.

The Pakistan selectors have included the experienced all-rounder in the side for the matches starting with the Twenty20 international, to be played on Feb 2 after overlooking him for the (South Africa) Test rubber due to his poor form with the bat.

The Khyber Agency-born Afridi, known for his explosive batting with a world record of fastest ODI century under his belt, has been suffering from a horrible run of low scores. Since making 56 at St Lucia in the final ODI of the West Indies tour in May 2005, Afridi has failed to score a single half-century.But he said all the players suffer bad patch and he is going through the same.

However, he added he would try his best to regain form in the coming ODI series against South Africa to concrete his place for the World Cup. “I will try my best to perform with full potential against South Africa as it is a great opportunity for me to find my rhythm back before the World Cup, which I am eagerly looking forward to,” Afridi expressed. — PPI