World T20: 'Feverish' Shahid Afridi Skips Practice Ahead of Opening Game

Shahid Afridi, a day after raising furore back home with his 'love for India' statement, Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi on Tuesday skipped the team's training session, citing 'fever', ahead of their ICC World T20 opener against Bangladesh here on Wednesday. (World T20: Pakistan Take on Bangladesh in a Tricky Clash)

For his statement that he got 'more love' in India than in Pakistan, Afridi received much flak back home with the legendary Javed Mianadad blasting him 'shame on you'. (World T20: Shahid Afridi, Najam Sethi Served Legal Notice Over 'Love For India' Statement)

Afridi, meanwhile, sought to douse the fire by saying that he did not intend to demean his nation and was merely trying to give a 'positive message' by showing respect to the fans here. (World T20: Javed Miandad Slams Shahid Afridi for 'Loved in India' Comment; Lawyer Files Case Too)

Pakistani head coach Waqar Younis said it's nothing to do with the controversy and added: "It's not like that. He was not feeling well in the morning... So it's better to take rest. It's hot and humid out there." (T20 World Cup: Pakistan Coach Waqar Younis Defends Shahid Afridi's 'India Love' Comment)

Later, giving an update on Afridi, Pakistani team manager Intikhab Alam said he was down with fever in the morning.

"He over trained himself. He's had slight fever in the morning and we opted to give him rest," Alam said, as the rest of the Pakistani camp trained for more than two hours in the morning.

The highlight of the training session was pacer Mohammad Sami, who did rounds of the stadium and seemed to have recovered from his toe injury.

Sami, who was hit on his toes by a local bowler during their practice on Sunday, missed their warm-up match against Sri Lanka on Monday that they won by 15 runs.