KARACHI, Feb 12: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Monday termed the four-match ban imposed on him by the International Cricket Council as harsh, keeping in view the offence he was penalised for.

Afridi was banned for four One-day Internationals last week by the ICC for brandishing his bat on a spectator during the opening one-dayer against South Africa at Centurion.

“I think it was a harsh decision. It could have been a couple of ODIs at the most,” said Afridi while speaking to reporters soon after his return from South Africa.

“The spectator was provoking me and uttered abusive remarks against Pakistan,” he said. “As I was going back to the dressing room after getting out, the spectator's remarks upset me quite a bit,” he added.

Defending his action, Afridi said the team management has decided not to appeal against the ban because had in case it got turned down “I would have had to sit out four games in the World Cup.”

Responding to a question about the sketchy performance of the Pakistan team in South African, Afridi said it should not be of great concern for the fans and the team will definitely perform better in the World Cup because wickets in the Caribbeans suited sub-continental teams.

Afridi sounded optimistic about his selection in the team for the World Cup despite the fact that he will not be available for the first two games of the mega event which are to played against the West Indies on March 13 and Ireland on March 16 respectively. —APP