Afridi asks seniors to show more responsibility

Karachi:

After losing the Asia Cup opener to Sri Lanka despite his blistering century, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi wants senior players to show more maturity and finish off the games for the side.

Afridi made a quick-fire 109, his first ODI century in four years, in Pakistan's 16 runs defeat in pursuit of 243, on Tuesday.

"We should have won the match, we were in a position to win it. I think the solution lies in the senior players taking more responsibility and doing their part.

"The seniors like Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik must try to stay at the wicket for longer periods," he said on a TV Channel.

Afridi was happy with his own effort but was disappointed that it could not help Pakistan win the match.

"The century would have been more valuable and I would have felt better if we had won the match," he said.

Afridi also revealed that umpires turned down his request for a runner when he encountered a bout of cramps.

"My dismissal was the turning point of the match. When I got cramps I asked for a runner from the umpires but they turned down the request saying they couldn't allow it at a
critical situation in the match," Afridi said.

Afridi also praised paceman Shoaib Akhtar for making a successful comeback to international cricket after nearly 14 months by taking three wickets in humid and warm conditions.

"I am really satisfied with Shoaib's performance as he put in lot of effort in his bowling and also in his fielding.He was committed."