I wanted Younus in squad for England tour: Afridi

Karachi:

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi says he wanted senior batsman Younus Khan to be picked in the squad for the upcoming tour of England but issues ranging from lack of match-practice to past disciplinary problems came in the way.

Afridi said he alone didn't pick the touring squad which was selected jointly by him, the coach and the national selection committee.

"I wanted Younus to be in the team but besides the issue of his recent form there was also a bit of disciplinary issue with Younus," Afridi said in the "Captain's corner" show on Geo TV.

Afridi, who stood out in the Asia Cup with his two blazing hundreds against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh despite Pakistan failing to quality for the final, said he was satisfied with the team selection despite the criticism from some quarters.

"One must understand I don't' alone pick the team the input of the coach and selectors is also involved in this process."

Afridi also made it clear that pacer Shoaib Akhtar was recalled to the team for the Asia Cup only for one-day internationals and Twenty20s.

"We don't want to waste him or damage his remaining career by playing him in test cricket," Afridi said.

The all-rounder felt he managed to shine individually at the Asia Cup as he didn't allow the pressure of captaincy to get to him.

"The truth is that in the Twenty20 World Cup, I had taken the pressure of captaincy which affected my individual form as well but this time I focused on my own performances," he said.

Afridi who will return to Test cricket, against Australia, in July after a four-year gap said he was satisfied with the performance of his players in the Asia Cup.

"I am pleased with the confidence level of the new players and I am sure they will go and perform well in England. We are working hard on each player and show him his mistakes with the help of the video analyst the focus is on cricket in the team," he stated.