Dubai: Shahid Afridi, the newly-appointed skipper of the Pakistan cricket team, believes his side has a great chance of becoming the first nation to win back-to-back ICC World Twenty20. The Pakistan team stopped by in Dubai en route to the West Indies where the third edition of the T20 showpiece begins on April 30.
The UAE has served as a home venue to Pakistan in recent times and the reigning champions' resounding victory over Australia in Dubai in May last year was the launching pad for their amazing triumph at the ICC World Twenty20 event the following month.
Afridi, named Man of the Tournament last time round in London believes Pakistan has a great chance to become the first nation to win back-to-back titles. "Our preparations have been very good we are focused and very excited about defending our title," he said.
Players excited
"The team is in high spirits after a great flight to Dubai with Emirates and we are all looking forward to landing in the West Indies for the ICC World Twenty20. Playing against the best teams in the world in a perfect location like the Caribbean will make for a brilliant tournament. We are looking forward to getting our challenge under way and, with our opening match against Bangladesh only a week away, excitement among the players is building," he said.
Afridi warmed up for his ICC World Twenty20 glory bid by taking part in the Emirates Airline Twenty20 in Dubai last month.
He starred as a guest player for Fly Emirates XI — a team of talented employees from the Emirates Group who shocked English county side Surrey and South Africa's Emerging Cape Cobras en route to a showdown with Sussex who they beat without the Pakistan talisman.
Maurice Flanagan, executive vice-chairman, Emirates Airline & Group, is a keen follower of cricket and wished Afridi well ahead of the ICC World Twenty20. He said: "It was tremendous to have Shahid playing for Fly Emirates last month. He was an inspiration to our players and I hope he enjoys further success in the West Indies. It is a real honour that Shahid and his team-mates are flying with Emirates to the tournament."
