Afridi calls Azam the ‘backbone’ of Pakistan team

• Azam capable of scoring 100,150 and 200, says Afridi.
• Applauds Shinwari who claimed five wickets on Karachi’s batting wicket.
• Urges fans to attend the game in big numbers.

Pakistan former captain Shahid Afridi has urged Pakistan batting sensation Babar Azam to play longer innings, Afridi called Azam the ‘backbone’ of Pakistan cricket team who is capable playing long innings.

"I say to Babar Azam I want you to play long innings and you are not just a 50 runs type player, rather you are capable of scoring 100, 150 or 200. You are the backbone of the team and a consistent performer for Pakistan cricket team,” said Afridi, in a video message.

Azam smashed his 11th ODI hundred in the 2nd One Day International against Sri Lanka, in doing so he became the first Pakistan player this year to surpass 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year.

Afridi also applauded speedster Usman Khan Shinwari for his contribution with the ball, after he claimed a five-wickets haul and a Man of the Match award as well.

“After such a long time we have seen a Pakistan fast-bowler get the man of the match award. To win this award on a Karachi batting wicket is an outstanding achievement by Shinwari, we missed him during the World Cup but I am happy that Shinwari made a comeback with a performance,” he said.

The former captain also urged the fans to draw in massive numbers, in order to showcase to the world that Pakistan is more than ready to welcome international cricket.

With the ODI series 1-0, Pakistan would meet Sri Lanka in the third ODI on Wednesday (today) at the National Stadium, Karachi.