Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi reaffirmed his commitment to Pakistan in all 3 versions of the game.

"If the selectors and management felt that they needed me for the upcoming third test in Hobart, then I am definitely available" stated Afridi.

Logistically including Afridi in the team for the third test wouldn't be a problem as the charismatic captain of Pakistan's Twenty/20 team is already in Australia, where he is taking part in the Twenty/20 Big Bash for the South Australian team.

Afridi's last outing in test cricket was at Old Trafford against England in July 2006, where he scored an aggregate of 32 runs and took 1 for 76, as a Steve Harmison inspired England beat Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs.

Afridi also confirmed to PakPassion that playing for his country was extremely important to him and that despite being signed up by Australian and South African domestic Twenty/20 teams and being linked to three English County teams for this years Friends Provident Twenty/20 competition, representing Pakistan remains his number one priority.

"I would never turn down any opportunity to play for my country in any version of the game. To represent Pakistan is the most important thing for myself and to be given the chance of representing Pakistan on the international stage is an honour and not something I would ever turn down" added Afridi.

Responding to a question about whether he agreed with Mohammad Yousuf's comments that Twenty/20 cricket could finish Pakistan cricket, Afridi stated "There are differing skills required for the various versions of the game, and I think players can adjust to the different types of cricket. There will always be the situation where some players are seen as specialists in one version of the game, and other players are seen as proficient in all types of cricket".

2010 promises to be a hectic and important year for Pakistan cricket and one of their aims will be to defend the Twenty/20 World title that they won in England last year. Afridi who was one of the key members of the title winning squad felt that becoming Twenty/20 World Champions was very important for the millions of Pakistani cricket fans around the globe.

"Before the Twenty/20 World cup started, the squad got together and we all agreed that we wanted to do something for the people of Pakistan and bring a smile to the people's faces. We all felt that it was the right time to do something for our country and its people. The masses in Pakistan had been facing a tough time and to see the delight on their faces after we were champions is something that will live with me forever".

Shahid Afridi's magnificent catch against New Zealand to dismiss Scott Styris was seen by many as the moment that the Pakistan team truly believed that they could win the Twenty/20 World Cup and Afridi felt that the catch did indeed lift the team. "After I took the catch against New Zealand, the morale of the team was high. I have always felt that fielding is just as important as batting and bowling, and players should work very hard on their fielding. Sometimes a piece of fielding can lift the whole team and alter the course of a match".

The third test in Hobart starts on 14th January and with some members of the Pakistani batting lineup yet to fire on all cylinders, it may be in the best interests of the Pakistan team management to send out a request for Shahid Afridi to join the test squad.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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