Miandad defends Afridi's comment

Updated on: 28 March,2011 06:42 AM IST |
Clayton Murzello | clayton@mid-day.com

Pakistan cricket legend Javed Miandad feels captain Shahid Afridi's comment about aiming to make Sachin Tendulkar wait for his 100th international century shouldn't be made an issue

Pakistan cricket legend Javed Miandad feels captain Shahid Afridi's comment about aiming to make Sachin Tendulkar wait for his 100th international century shouldn't be made an issue.

"He (Tendulkar) will have to wait until after the World Cup to reach the landmark. We will try and make sure no batsman plays a long innings (in the semi-final at Mohali)," Afridi reportedly said recently.

He resisted from getting into the merits of each side to name his favourite. "A lot of things are said about strengths on paper.

"On paper, South Africa were better than New Zealand. But what happened in the quarter-final in Dhaka? New Zealand beat the so-called favourites. All that matters is what you do on the day."

Asked whether he would unleash veteran Shoaib Akhtar on India considering that he's had some success against the neighbour, Miandad said: "It depends on his fitness and the pitch at Mohali.

"You chalk out your strategy looking at the strip too. Shoaib's a good fast bowler and well known for his exploits. He can be an option."

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