Afridi not to play Test cricket till 2011 WC

Karachi:

Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Thursday said he would want to prepare himself for the 2011 World Cup by skipping Test cricket until that mega event in the sub-continent.

"There was a time when I was very keen to play Test matches but unfortunately I didn't get enough opportunities then. But now there is so much international cricket being played that I want to focus on T20 and ODIs until the World Cup is over," Afridi said.

"The heavy international schedule also means it is better if I take a break now so that I am focused and prepared for the World Cup. I want to also see the team doing well in T20 and ODI matches," he added.

Afridi, Pakistan's Twenty20 captain, said he didn't believe that T20 cricket was a threat to Test cricket but has rather made the longer version of the game more result-oriented and exciting.

"Far from it I believe the growing number of Twenty20 and one-day matches has helped make Test cricket more result oriented. Nowadays Test cricket is played at a fast pace and we are getting more results which is good for the sport and brings in more crowds," he said.

"I believe all three forms of the sport can co-exist without threatening each other but the only thing is that a proper balance must be struck between the three in the international calendar," he added.