I am happy to start cricket again: Afridi

KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi Wednesday said that he was happy that he would be starting cricket again when he joins Hampshire County in England.

Afridi Wednesday left for England to play for Hampshire insisting that his international career was not over yet.

“I would try my level best to perform well there (Hampshire County) and I am looking forward to it,”

Afridi told reporters before leaving for England early morning on Wednesday.

The all-rounder, who was removed as captain of the national one-day team last month and then got entangled into a tussle with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before being fined Rs4.5 million on disciplinary grounds, will appear for Hampshire in the English domestic Twenty20 competition.

"I am happy that I am getting a chance to play for Hampshire because wherever I play at the end of the day I am recognized as a Pakistani and if I do well it is Pakistan cricket that gets a good name," Afridi said.

Afridi, who left with his family, will play his first match for the county on Friday against Gloucestershire and will remain in England until July 15 before going to Sri Lanka for the Sri Lankan Premier League.

The all-rounder had to return from England earlier this month to face PCB's disciplinary hearing after the NOC issued to him to play for Hampshire was revoked by the board as part of the disciplinary proceedings against him.

The PCB issued him the NOC after he appeared before a disciplinary committee and admitted he had breached the code of conduct and was subsequently fined for his misconduct.

The all-rounder, who was sacked as captain after developing differences with the team management, admitted he had been unable to focus on cricket in the last few weeks.

"I have not been able to train that is why I appear to have put on some weight. It has been difficult to focus on cricket. But now I have put everything behind me and want to make a fresh start to my career with this stint for Hampshire," he said.

Afridi said for the moment he would concentrate on domestic foreign leagues to keep himself in cricketing environment.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011